Bubba Wallace's GQ Profile

The NASCAR Driver on Race, Trump Tweets, and the Noose

 

 

GQ is an international monthly men's magazine based in New York City which was founded in 1931. The publication focuses on fashion, style, and culture for men, though articles on food, movies, fitness, sex, music, travel, sports, technology, and books are also featured. 

The September issues features NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. In the profile, Wallace talks to Donavan X. Ramsey about his turbulent summer including the noose and the tweets from the President. 

Shortly after Wallace made headlines for his BLM race, a noose was found in his garage at the racetrack. He remembers NASCAR president Steve Phelps had tears in his eyes and could barely form sentences:

“I’m like, ‘What the hell’s going on?’” says Wallace. “He was like, ‘Man...the way it was worded to me, a hate crime was committed.’ I immediately thought of my family, because I’m fine. I’m like, ‘Oh, okay.’ He said there was a noose found in my garage.’” 

In the end, after an FBI investigation, no foul play was found. “Was it directed towards me? No. But was it a noose? People don’t want to listen to that second part.” The whole thing was called a hoax by many, including the President of the United States. 

“There are so many other things we could be worrying about in this world or in this country, but he wanted to take the time to send out his regards. And so be it,” Wallace says diplomatically. “I was just like, ‘You know what? I’m not even going to waste my time with this. Move on from it.’

You can read the entire feature, 'NASCAR's Unlikely Activist, here. 

Photography by Kennedi Carter

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