Following months of speaking out in support of racial justice and inclusion in NASCAR, Bubba Wallace’s work has been recognized by The Musial Awards.
The Richard Petty Motorsports driver has been selected as the recipient of its Award for Extraordinary Character.
The award honors “an individual who demonstrates remarkable poise, perseverance and overall sportsmanship.”
The Musial Awards - presented by Maryville University in St. Louis - is named after Stan Musial, a former St. Louis Cardinal baseball player. St. Louis is also the home to one of Wallace’s sponsors, World Wide Technology.
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In the wake of the death of George Floyd in May, the 26-year-old Wallace has been active in helping lead NASCAR through social changes, including the banning of the Confederate flag at series events and tracks.
He also drove a Black Lives Matter car at Martinsville Speedway in June.
“Bubba Wallace exemplifies what the Stan Musial Award for Extraordinary Character is all about,” Frank Viverito, president of the St. Louis Sports Commission, which produces the Musial Awards, said in a press release. “He has overcome much to be where he is, and he has courageously stepped forward to take an important stand for change. He is most deserving of an award that stands for sportsmanship and character, and is named for Stan Musial, whose own actions promoted racial acceptance and unity.”
Wallace joins baseball legend Hank Aaron as a 2020 Musial Awards honoree. Aaron is receiving the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship.
The Musial Awards will air nationally on CBS on Saturday, Dec. 26.
After three full-time seasons in Cup racing for RPM, it was announced earlier this week that Wallace would compete in 2021 for a Cup team co-owned by Denny Hamlin and basketball legend Michael Jordan.
He has had a profound impact on his sport and the dialogue surrounding racial justice and unity. @NASCAR driver @BubbaWallace is the recipient of the 2020 Stan Musial Award for Extraordinary Character.
— Musial Awards (@MusialAwards) September 23, 2020
Full Announcement: https://t.co/vR1lmrFrb2#MusialAwards #Stantennial pic.twitter.com/djFhb759ME
