Published 01/20/2023, 11:42 AM EST
Bubba Wallace and NASCAR fans have a lot to be excited about this year. Whether it is the upcoming 2023 season, the Chicago Street race, or the NAACP Awards, the fans won’t be able to keep calm. But wait, why NAACP?
Building Black Power through their initiative, NAACP recently revealed their nominations for this year’s award ceremony. And what’s exciting for NASCAR fans and Wallace, is the nomination of the 300 studios team for the category of Outstanding Documentary.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People unveiled the full list of their 54th NAACP Image Awards. And making it to the list was 300 Studio’s Netflix documentary, Race: Bubba Wallace. Sharing the news on its official Facebook page, the studio posted an image with the documentary poster.
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Ecstatic about the content that made it to the nominations this year, NAACP CEO and President Derrick Johnson said that the Association is proud to recognize outstanding talent. As reported by BET, Derrick said, “This year’s nominees have conveyed a wide range of authentic stories and diverse experiences that have resonated with many in our community, and we’re proud to recognize their outstanding achievements and performances.”
Bubba Wallace: A part of American history
Although Bubba Wallace does not regard himself as an activist, the Netflix documentary Race: Bubba Wallace paints him as the latest athlete-activist. During an interview with the Shadow and Act, the 23XI Racing driver said, “I’m just some dude that happens to drive NASCAR and try to make this place better before I leave it, and that’s it. It’s definitely been a cool journey, [an] up and down journey [and] lots of learning of self and other people– but that’s what it takes.”
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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #45 MoneyLion Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
Further, the director of the Netflix documentary, Erik Parker explained why the Cup Series driver is an integral part of American history. He said, “Bubba has a very inspirational story, and what was happening to him is a part of American history. What he was actually pushing forward was a part of American history. So, I wanted to make sure that we had that documented, and at some point, documenting it in real-time.”
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With the docuseries nominated for the 54th NAACP Awards, it feels like Wallace and Parker received the recognition they deserve. Moreover, with the kind of impact Wallace has had on the sport, the driver is nothing less than an inspiration for the generations to come.
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