Bubba Wallace becomes first black driver to win Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis

Bubba Wallace made history on July 27, 2025, by becoming the first Black driver to win the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. His victory in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race not only secured a career milestone but also broke a long-standing racial barrier in one of motorsport’s most iconic venues.

A Career-Defining Victory

Wallace, driving for 23XI Racing, held off a late surge from Kyle Larson to take the checkered flag. This marked his third NASCAR Cup Series win, but it is undoubtedly his most historic. Wallace previously won at Talladega in 2021 and Kansas in 2022.

“This means everything,” Wallace told ESPN. “I’ve dreamed of this moment for so long.”

Breaking Barriers at the Brickyard

This landmark win comes over 60 years after Wendell Scott became the first Black driver to win a NASCAR race in 1963. Wallace’s triumph at the Brickyard is a powerful symbol of how far NASCAR has come in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in its sport.

As CNN notes, Wallace’s win at Indy was a full-circle moment for the sport and for communities long underrepresented in the NASCAR spotlight.

Racing with Resilience

Wallace’s journey hasn’t been easy. He has often stood alone as the only Black driver in NASCAR’s premier series, facing both pressure and prejudice. But with support from Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin at 23XI Racing, Wallace has grown into a consistent front-runner in 2025.

“This win isn’t just about me,” Wallace said post-race. “It’s for everyone who believed in change and who believed in me.”

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Kyle Larson Praises Wallace

Kyle Larson, who finished a close second, praised Wallace’s skill and composure in the final laps. “He earned it,” Larson said via NASCAR.com. “That was all him. I gave it all I had.”

What’s Next for Bubba Wallace?

With this historic win, Wallace is now a strong playoff contender as the NASCAR season nears its final stretch. His confidence, momentum, and fan support are at an all-time high, and the victory at Indianapolis may just be the turning point of his career.

As Wallace continues to chase more wins, his Brickyard 400 triumph will remain a defining moment not just for him, but for the future of NASCAR itself.