After news broke that the young, talented Darrell 'Bubba' Wallace Jr. finally had a ride with Richard Petty Motorsports for next year, reactions came pouring in. RPM had long been rumored to want Wallace to drive for them, but sponsorship considerations held up progress. Wallace will be the first full time African American driver in the Cup Series since Wendell Scott in 1971.
Welcome to the team, @BubbaWallace. #NASCAR #R43KIE pic.twitter.com/99RngthsL8
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LEGACYMotorClub) October 25, 2017
Related: Richard Petty Motorsports makes a huge move getting a driver for the iconic 43 car
Right off the bat, @Nascarcasm noticed a cool detail in the video released announcing the news. Wallace will drive the iconic number 43 car.
Shoutout to @BenAllaire19 for his attention to detail here... #NASCAR #BubbaWallace #Petty pic.twitter.com/KRPWyvES6H
— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) October 25, 2017
Ryan Blaney sent his congratulations along with a hilarious observation about Wallace in the video.
You look like Ace Frehley and it?s great. Congratulations on the announcement brother. Excited to race with you again!@BubbaWallace pic.twitter.com/KSwyLPXVHj
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) October 25, 2017
And some of the NASCAR world was just ready to celebrate with the new Cup Series driver.
So jacked for @BubbaWallace #NASCAR
— Jason Newland?? (@F1RETHECANNON) October 25, 2017
So proud to see my boy @BubbaWallace in the @RPMotorsports #43. Everything happens for a reason buddy, Let's get it! #R43KIE
— Austin Craven (@thebadgolfer) October 25, 2017
Then, of course, veteran motorsports journalist Bob Pockrass points out something we all missed about the announcement.
No sponsor and no manufacturer is mentioned in the RPM release announcing the hiring of Bubba Wallace #nascar
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 25, 2017
We will have to just wait to see what the future holds for Wallace and Richard Petty Motorsports.