Race: Bubba Wallace is a six-part docu-series on Netflix dealing with the life and actions of Bubba Wallace, the first full-time Black NASCAR driver who was criticized for taking a stance against the racism prevalent in the higher ranks of the racing competition.
The docu-series is set to release in February on Netflix and will provide a look into the sportsman’s heroic journey with anecdotes collected from his friends, family, and peers. Emmy nominated Erik Parker is the director and has directed all six episodes of the show. Erik has a niche in directing docuseries. His filmography includes LA Burning, Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America, and The Riots 25 Years Later.
What to Know Before Watching?
The six-part docu-series focuses on Darell Wallace Jr. popularly known as Bubba. The 2021 season of Bubba’s life is captured through several lenses. This includes his life in track as well off track in the comforts of his home role as a social activist against the racism commonplace in the white-collar positions of the race stands.
The show is an unfiltered take on the life of the sportsman. It is transparent and marked with emotions. The 45 min episodes account for the incidents that took place throughout the 2020 and 2021 NASCAR seasons.
Cast
The series is composed of footage from the NASCAR racers’ races and interviews and accepted from his close ones. It stars Bubba Wallace, alongside him we see his mom and number one cheerleader Desi Wallace who gives us a lot of insight into the life of her otherwise very reserved son. Denny Hamlin, Bubba’s boss, and competitor also make a significant appearance.
He is the co-owner of the 23XI team alongside Michael Jordan. The show also takes quotes from Kyle Hall, Bubba’s manager, and longtime friend, Amanda Carter, Bubba’s fiancee. The show also talks to expert witnesses like Jemele Hill, W. Kamau Bell, and Michael Strahan who were aware of the value Bubba Wallace was brought onto the table. Last but not the least, the president of NASCAR Steve Phelps is also thereafter a change of heart.
Trailer
Netflix released the trailer ahead of the show on the 23rd of January. It showed snippets of the racer and especially the NASCAR season 2020 to 2021 during which most of the action is based. The trailer showed interviews of people belonging from both the on track as well as off-track life of the racers.
Snippets from her mother’s Desi Wallace and long-time friend and manager Kyle hinted that we would get to know a lot about the racer’s childhood. The documentary is in a series format with 6 episodes of 45 minutes each. It is produced by 300 Studios and Broadwalk Pictures. Rob Ford acts as the co-executive producer of the show.
Bubba Wallace and Black Lives Matter
Bubba had taken note of the racism in the stands ever since he became a full-time racer with NASCAR however he chose to not speak about it because he wanted to focus on racing. But the death of George Floyd acted as a revolutionary inspiration for him as it did for many Americans.
Not only did he take part in the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia wearing a “I Can’t Breath. Black Lives Matter” but also drove a “Black Lives Matter” themed car for the rest of the 2020 season. This made him one of the most booed racers of NASCAR but that in no way stopped him. He was determined to make a change. Race: Bubba Wallace is set to release on Netflix on the 22nd of February 2022.
