Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images
Last season Darrell “Bubba” Wallace was at a crossroads in his racing career.
His tenure was ending with Roush Fenway Racing. The 12-race Xfinity deal in the No. 6 Ford had run its course. Wallace was one step away from the unemployment line when Richard Petty Motorsports called.
Aric Almirola was sidelined with a broken leg following a vicious wreck at Kansas Speedway. That left a vacancy in the No. 43 RPM Ford – and a four-race audition for Wallace. With each start in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup car Wallace improved his position.
But it was his 11th-place result in marginal equipment at Kentucky Speedway that really turned heads.
“After finishing 11th here, just my fourth start in, I felt very confident in what I was able to do,” Wallace said. “I didn’t feel like I left any stone unturned there. I was kind of able to lay down that night and though I was frustrated that I wasn’t racing anymore, I knew I had done everything I could with the opportunity.”
When Stewart-Haas Racing lured Almirola away last season, the seat opened full-time in the iconic No. 43 Petty car. Given his earlier success, Wallace, 24, was the logical choice.
He kicked off the season in the Daytona 500 with a career-best second-place finish behind Austin Dillon – but stole the headlines and the hearts of fans.
This weekend, Wallace returns to the track where he made his mark with RPM.
“The speed that we’re showing today, it goes back to the guys at the shop,” Wallace said. “They built a brand new car for Kentucky. They hit it right on the spot, first lap on the track. So I’m pretty excited about our opportunity this weekend.”