Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. only competed in four races while filling in for the injured Aric Almirola, but he steadily improved every week he competed.
Wallace impressed the people at Richard Petty Motorsports, and the team is hoping to add him to their Cup Series team in 2018. The only barrier preventing that as of now is the lack of a sponsor.
.@RPMotorsports is searching for sponsorship for @BubbaWallace in hopes of running him in a second Cup Series car in '18, per a team source.
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) July 18, 2017
Related: Bubba Wallace addresses his NASCAR future after his career-best finish
If RPM can find a sponsor for Wallace, they would like to pair him with Almirola, who drives the No. 43 car.
The team is still working on trying to land a renewal with primary sponsor @SmithfieldFoods for its current sole Cup Series car in the 43.
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) July 18, 2017
Wallace finished 26th in his first Cup Series race, but he improved to 19th in his second, 15th in his third and 11th in his final race.
Wallace became only the fourth African-American to appear in the Cup Series. The 23-year-old was poised and impressive during his four races, and he would be another young star for NASCAR if he became a full-time Cup Series driver.
(h/t NESN)