DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Just about everything is different for Bubba Wallace going into the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season.
The 27-year-old driver is behind the wheel of a new No. 23 car with a new team, 23XI Racing, which is owned by fellow Cup driver Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan. And after driving for Richard Petty Motorsports the last few seasons in Fords and Chevrolets, Wallace is back in a Toyota with his new team and qualified sixth for Sunday’s season-opening Daytona 500.
Previously, Wallace competed in six second-tier Xfinity Series races in a Toyota between 2012 and 2014 for Joe Gibbs Racing — the team Hamlin races for which has a technical alliance with 23XI Racing.
In the third-tier Truck Series, Wallace ran 44 total races in a Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports between 2013 and 2014, taking five checkered flags.
Promoting his return to the manufacturer, Toyota will run what Wallace described as an “inspiring, emotional” ad during the Daytona 500. Called “The Dream,” it tells the story of a young Black girl who wrecks while racing go-karts and is hesitant to get back behind the wheel, before being inspired by Wallace to return to the track.
In a statement about the spot, Wallace said:
“To be back with Toyota this season and be a part of the Toyota Racing family means a lot to me. What they do on the track is top notch, but it goes beyond the track too. It’s really cool to be a part of things like ‘The Dream’ and their initiatives off the track that align with my own beliefs and how I want to influence the next generation. ‘The Dream’ show others, no matter the circumstances or who you are, to keep fighting and follow your dreams. It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it. It’s a pretty special piece. It’s inspiring, emotional and something that I’m proud to be a part of.”
While the 60-second ad will air during the Daytona 500, it’s actually the shortened version. Toyota will release the full video Sunday morning on social media.
The season-opening Daytona 500 is Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
