Bubba Wallace did not get the start he wanted to, but it worked out in the end.
Wallace’s number 23 car failed the pre-game inspection twice at the Daytona 500 before passing on the third inspection. The inspection failure prompted the ejection of Wallace’s car chief Greg Emmer from the race. As for Wallace, he was forced to start from the back of the field. The 27-year-old driver was slated to start in the third row before the failed inspection forced him in the back.
However, despite starting from the back, it did not stop the 27-year-old. Wallace went on to become the first black driver to lead a lap in the Daytona 500. He grabbed the lead on lap 129 before losing it to the two-time defending champion Denny Hamlin.
Wallace finished 17th as Michael McDowell won the Daytona 500. Wallace had high expectations heading into the race. Although he didn’t win, he did make history.
