NASCAR driver Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. tweeted earlier this week that he hasn’t “been a good place for some time now.”
And on Friday at Kansas Speedway, he opened up about struggling with and hiding his depression “for many years”, the Associated Press reported. He was understandably emotional while bravely speaking about something so personal.
In his second full-time NASCAR Cup Series season behind the wheel of the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet, Wallace’s on-track issues have been out in the open. He had one top-5 finish — at the Daytona 500 – and three top 10s in 2018, and this season, his best finish was 17th at Martinsville Speedway in March.
He acknowledged he’s his own worst critic. While addressing some of his recent social media posts ahead of Saturday night’s Digital Ally 400 at the 1.5-mile track, he said: “It’s been a rough moment for a while. … I’m just trying to do everything I can.”
The 25 year old is the only full-time African American driver at the sport’s highest level, and he’s become a fan favorite. He said driving helps him cope with depression, and the “fans and family help a lot.”
More from the Associated Press:
Wallace was talking about the challenges facing the team Friday when he said, “You try to be the best you can and sometimes it ain’t damn good enough.” He later admitted to experiencing “depression and everything with it,” and that he has kept it hidden in part by getting into a car.
“I’ll be damned,” Wallace said quietly, his blue hat pulled low over his eyes, “It all goes away when you get behind the wheel. It’s 16 years of driving. It helps. But it’s tough.”
It was at that point Wallace said, “I’m on the verge of breaking down. And I am what I am.” He then quietly buried his face in his hands and wept.
Going into Saturday’s race, the 12th of the 2019 season, Wallace is 29th in the driver standings and still looking for his first Cup Series win.
More and more, athletes are sharing their own stories about their mental health, including swimmer Michael Phelps, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, figure skater Ashley Wagner and New York Islanders goalie Robin Lehner. Through their own experiences, they’re raising awareness while also trying to destigmatize the challenges that many people face.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ forward Kevin Love has been vocal about depression, and he has been one of the most vocal advocates for mental health awareness recently, saying: “Nothing haunts us like the things we don’t say.”
