Bubba Wallace "My Family"

[Hortensis]

4. :) Nice story. I was surprised to hear he was supposed to

be having serious problems handling whatever's been going on surrounded by so many supportive friends. What we've heard of shouldn't "consume" a highly successful man at the top of his field and long accustomed to the stresses on a competitive racer, including running and generating profits as a business. And, always, being Nascar's first and only black top-tier racer.

The "you're not going to take away my smile" pathos, as the author I read yesterday styled it, needed more context included. It is that he normally wears an American flag mask, but he didn't at the start of the race specifically to make the statement to the hatemonger:

“Sorry I’m not wearing my mask, but I wanted to show whoever it was that you’re not going to take away my smile.

Wallace has become the central figure in NASCAR’s response to the civil rights movement sweeping the country, which has included a ban on displays of the Confederate flag at its events. Prior to the race, the entire NASCAR Cup Series field stood behind Wallace on pit row during the invocation and playing of the national anthem to show their support.

“The pre-race deal was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to witness in my life. It’s been tough. It’s been hell, really, ah, I wouldn’t say hell, it’s just been hectic. You know, carrying this weight and carrying this burden. I wouldn’t really say burden, either. I’m proud to stand where I’m at.” ...

Wallace greeted a group of black fans who drove from Atlanta to see their first race thanks largely to the attention he’s brought to the sport in recent weeks. “This is probably the most badass moment right here,” Wallace said. "The sport is changing."

?ve=1&tl=1