NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace Wears ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Shirt, and Fans Sound Off

Sunday afternoon, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace prepared for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 by […]

June 7, 2020, 4:17pm

Sunday afternoon, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace prepared for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 by donning a unique shirt. He showed up for the pre-race ceremonies wearing a black shirt that said, “I Can’t Breathe. Black Lives Matter” that referenced George Floyd‘s murder in Minneapolis. Wallace and his fellow drivers also released an exclusive video addressing how they plan to push for change and help fight systemic racism and inequality.

When NASCAR fans saw Wallace’s shirt, they reacted multiple ways. Several applauded the driver and proclaimed that he is now their favorite personality in stock car racing. These fans want to fight racism and expressed their support for Black Lives Matter. Others, however, did not support Wallace.

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Many fans reacted to the news by saying that they will “no longer watch” stock car racing. They also called for Wallace to remove his American flag face mask that he paired with the shirt. Many of these fans responded to the photo with “All Lives Matter.”

It makes me sick that Bubba Wallace was allowed to wear a shirt of segregation all lives matter
— bee man (@Roycooper231Roy) June 7, 2020

Bubba Wallace wearing a black lives matter shirt at the track 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽✊🏽 #FoldsOfHonorQuikTrip500 #nascar #BlackLivesMatter
— I Want to Believe Nascar (@IWTBNASCAR) June 7, 2020

Another significant moment today. Bubba Wallace wearing a “I Can’t Breathe/ #blacklivesmatter shirt pic.twitter.com/tXAq8qW2ta
— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) June 7, 2020

#SERIOUSLYNASCAR
You allow BUBBA WALLACE to wear a shirt
that says “I Can’t Breathe”
That’s a damn bridge too far!
I can understand him having strong feelings
and expressing an opinion but STOP!
JUST STOP…
— naturelover⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@starlady24) June 7, 2020

I was skeptical of how NASCAR would handle today’s race amidst everything going on but that was really great.

And good on Fox for not ignoring Bubba Wallace’s shirt

And good on that anthem kid, he crushed it.
— Cara Cooper (@caramariecooper) June 7, 2020

Another reason why I’m a fan of Bubba Wallace. Black Lives Matter shirt and American flag mask. Those two things can definitely go together. #NASCAR #BLM #America pic.twitter.com/WyhYy1m4D4
— Julian Spivey (@julianspivey44) June 7, 2020

#NASCAR really needs a race called the #BlackLivesMatter500 or whatever. (Not really a sponsor of course.) It’s time they showed they are serious about this.
Today is a good 1st step but you know…..
— Golf’N’Roll (@GolfNRoll) June 7, 2020

Racists’ heads will explode there. Smart of him to go with the flag mask. 👏
— Brett (@BrettJ245) June 7, 2020

Class act, nothing but respect for Bubba
— Jake (@JakeGray_5) June 7, 2020

Nice way to work the flag in there. Let’s see who gets mad at this one lol.
— Corn Pop & Frisk (@Machwon46) June 7, 2020

Now let’s ban the confederate flag from being displayed at any @NASCAR event!
— Mike Bowyer (@MSR_Apache69) June 7, 2020

@BubbaWallace has my endorsement.
— DC999 (@eastbound999) June 7, 2020

Bubba Wallace wears a black lives matter shirt in the Nascar race. I can now add Nascar to my list of things not to watch. Any organization that promotes the systemic racism bullshit is hereby banned from my tv.
— I Am Legend⭐⭐⭐🇺🇸 ⭐⭐⭐ (@WasntMe47396651) June 7, 2020

Loved Bubba Wallace’s shirt.
— Lynn #NFB (@moosysmom) June 7, 2020

I know @BubbaWallace has been hesitant to be The Representative for the African-American community in NASCAR, and I hate that he has to shoulder the weight of that role basically alone (for now, at least), but I’m so glad that he’s stepping into it. His voice is necessary.
— David Lerner (@davidpaullerner) June 7, 2020