Diversity in NASCAR

African American teen draws attention as a driver in the sport’s truck series

“It looked like a lot of fun (even) at the age of 9,” says Darrell Wallace Jr., referring to his first experience with racing. “There were kids younger than me at the time that were out there racing and winning and having fun.”

What began as a hobby soon led to a career on the track. The now 19-year-old race car driver competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 54 Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports as well as a partial schedule in the Nationwide Series with Joe Gibbs Racing.  

And to think it all began with go-karts. “My dad had the urge to buy a Harley-Davidson,” explains Wallace. “He wanted to get it fixed up and trick it out.” Later the man Wallace’s father hired to fix the motorcycle, Chris Rogers, invited young Wallace and his father to watch a few friends race go-karts. “We just got hooked.”

Despite now having countless NASCAR accomplishments under his belt, Wallace once knew very little about the sport. “At that time I never watched a race personally, but my parents were big Dale Earnhardt Sr. fans. He’s now been one of my favorites ever since,” Wallace says. His other favorite NASCAR diver happens to be the owner of the team Wallace drives for. “Currently my favorite driver would have to be Kyle Busch.”

The son of a white father and African American mother, Wallace was born in Mobile, Ala., but grew up in Concord. It was in Concord that Wallace began racing. Starting in the Bandolero racing series, Wallace quickly moved to a faster series known as Legends car racing. Unfortunately, it was at the early events that Wallace first encountered racism among his fellow drivers.

“For me it wasn’t that hard because I guess I really didn’t understand it at the time,” Wallace recounts. “When I would hear things it wouldn’t really bother me like it did my parents. I just went out the next weekend and beat them on the track – again. That was the only way to gain their respect.”

Today, Wallace is an incredibly talented and accomplished race car driver, completing many racing milestones. In 2005, he won 35 of the Bandolero Series’ 48 races held that year, and in 2008 he became the youngest driver to win at Franklin County Speedway in Virginia. Wallace didn’t know he was breaking records after winning. “I didn’t realize I was the youngest driver to win at the GPS (Greenville Pickens Speedway in South Carolina),” explains the driver. “It means a lot, as it’s helping change the face of NASCAR.”

Wallace began driving for Revolution Racing, which operated as part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program. NASCAR initiated this program in 2004 in order to attract minorities and women to the sport in positions such as ownership, driving and crew members.

In addition to his other accomplishments, Wallace was also the first African American to win the Rookie of the Year award in a NASCAR series. Despite all of his racing accomplishments, Wallace still wants to reach new goals. What’s at the top of his list? “Having a successful season in ’13, of course,” laughs Wallace. “And hopefully land something long-term in the years to come!”

Asked what advice he has for other young, ambitious drivers once they start racing, Wallace quickly replies, “It’s not easy; you have to want to do it to stay in this sport. Keep your mind on right and do the right things so you can go out there and do your thing!”