Byline: June 26, 2025
In a bold and emotional statement that’s igniting conversation across both sports and cultural circles, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith compared NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace to baseball legend Jackie Robinson—going so far as to call for Wallace’s iconic No. 23 to be retired across the entire NASCAR landscape.
Speaking passionately on First Take, Smith said:
“Bubba Wallace revolutionized NASCAR the way Jackie Robinson revolutionized baseball. And if the number 42 is retired across all of Major League Baseball… then when his time is up, the number 23 should be retired across NASCAR. Period.”
The Comparison: Jackie Robinson and Bubba Wallace
Smith’s comments draw a direct parallel between Jackie Robinson, who broke MLB’s color barrier in 1947, and Bubba Wallace, the only full-time Black driver in NASCAR’s top-tier Cup Series since Wendell Scott in the 1960s.
While Wallace didn’t “break into” a segregated sport in the same sense, his presence in modern-day NASCAR has sparked cultural change, pushed diversity forward, and ignited social conversations that the sport long avoided.
Most notably, Wallace:
Advocated for the removal of the Confederate flag from NASCAR events in 2020. Drove a Black Lives Matter car at Martinsville, a moment that resonated far beyond the track. Helped launch 23XI Racing, a new team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, giving NASCAR’s Cup Series its first Black majority owner in decades. Won at Talladega Superspeedway in 2021, becoming just the second Black driver in history to win a Cup race.
Reaction Across the Sport
Stephen A.’s words have rippled throughout the motorsports world. Fans, pundits, and drivers are weighing in—some praising the sentiment, others questioning the comparison.
Legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., in a post on X (formerly Twitter), wrote:
“Bubba has absolutely changed the sport and opened doors. He’s had to carry a weight most people never see. Whether or not #23 gets retired—his impact is real and lasting.”
Others have pushed back, saying that while Wallace’s influence is significant, comparing him to Jackie Robinson may overstate his on-track achievements. Wallace currently has one Cup Series win and several playoff appearances, but hasn’t yet reached the statistical heights of some of NASCAR’s most celebrated figures.
Still, for many, the conversation isn’t just about trophies—it’s about symbolism, courage, and breaking cultural ground in one of America’s most tradition-bound sports.
The Case for Retiring No. 23
Retiring a number across NASCAR would be unprecedented. The sport has never retired a number league-wide, even for icons like Dale Earnhardt (#3) or Richard Petty (#43), whose numbers remain active out of respect and legacy.
But Smith argues that Wallace’s impact transcends racing stats.
“It’s about the barriers he’s broken, the conversations he’s forced, and the generations he’s inspired. This isn’t just about wins. This is about legacy,” Smith said.
No. 23, of course, also carries significance as the number worn by Michael Jordan, who co-owns Wallace’s team—adding another layer of cultural resonance.
Wallace Responds
Bubba Wallace, never one to shy away from tough conversations, responded with humility.
“I appreciate the love and support,” he said after practice at Nashville. “I’ve just tried to be myself, stand for what’s right, and race hard. If that’s inspired people—then I’ve done something right.”
What Comes Next?
Whether or not NASCAR will ever retire a number is uncertain. But what Stephen A. Smith has done is thrust Bubba Wallace’s cultural legacy into the spotlight—challenging the sport, its fans, and the broader world to re-evaluate what defines greatness in motorsport.
This isn’t just a conversation about numbers—it’s about identity, progress, and how far NASCAR has come, and still has to go.
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