LeBron James, renowned not only for his NBA legacy but also for his efforts to uplift the underprivileged, has committed to nurturing future NASCAR talent by supporting young people lacking the means to enter the sport. His latest gesture, aiming to find and support the next Bubba Wallace from under-resourced backgrounds, continues his broader mission to create opportunity where it is often hardest to find.
LeBron James Grows His Legacy Beyond Basketball Courts
Rising out of Akron, Ohio, LeBron James earned his place among basketball legends with four NBA championships and by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league’s all-time leading scorer in 2023. From his athletic successes with the Cleveland Cavaliers to his leadership off the court, James has never forgotten his roots. He once reflected,
I am just a kid from Akron, Ohio, from the inner city. Every night I walk into the locker room and see an NBA jersey with my name on the back of it, I am blessed.
—LeBron James
Motivated by his own journey, LeBron established the I PROMISE School for at-risk students and the LeBron James Family Foundation, impacting thousands by offering scholarships, mentorship programs, and career guidance. His support for expanding opportunity now extends beyond education and basketball, with increasing involvement in motorsports and a growing passion for NASCAR.
Addressing Barriers to Entry in Motorsports
James’s outreach in the NASCAR world recently came to the forefront thanks to CeCe Wilson, a junior at STEM High School in Akron and participant in his I PROMISE program. During an online Q&A session hosted by the LeBron James Family Foundation, Wilson expressed her ambitions and the challenges she faces due to the sport’s high barrier to entry. She stated,
My question is, my real passion is to be a race car driver, and that’s like a real hard to access sport, since you already have to be like, rich,
—CeCe Wilson, STEM High School Student. She followed with,
Would there be like, anything that you could help people like me dream to do that?
—CeCe Wilson, STEM High School Student.
The dilemma highlighted by Wilson is a familiar one in NASCAR circles, where the financial cost of competition is notoriously high. Veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. has pointed to this escalating challenge, saying,
Today to get just out there and compete, you need that $50 million charter. But today to get just out there and compete you need that $50 million charter and that charter is going to be 100 million and 150 million and 200 [million]. It’s going to go to the moon over the next several years,
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Veteran. This reality has deterred many talented others from even considering the sport as a viable path.
LeBron’s Direct Intervention: Promise Put Into Action
LeBron’s response to Wilson was both immediate and personal, demonstrating his resolve to translate support into action. He reassured her with,
Say no more CeCe. I’ll get right on there. Over the last few years, we’ve made a lot of connections with a lot of people in NASCAR, and if that’s something that you’re super passionate about, we will make sure that you will get to some events, be able to be there, get into the cockpit, see some of the cars, how they’re built, how these guys race. We will get that done. I can’t get a lot of those things done, but I can get that done for you.
—LeBron James, NBA Player and Philanthropist.
Staying true to his word, LeBron, through the LeBron James Family Foundation and in partnership with RFK Racing, arranged for Wilson to receive full VIP access to an RFK Racing garage, including pit tours, introductions to drivers, and hands-on experience with the inner workings of a NASCAR team. This direct exposure is a rare privilege, particularly for someone with limited resources, and is intended to break down the doors that typically block entry to motorsports for kids like Wilson.
Ongoing Support for Inclusivity and Representation in NASCAR
James’s impact on and partnership with NASCAR extend beyond this individual act. His business partner Maverick Carter invested in the 23XI Racing team, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin—both influential names in the sport. LeBron has publicized his support for Bubba Wallace, still the only Black full-time Cup Series driver, who has long advocated for more inclusive representation within stock car racing.
James’s influence and the LeBron James Family Foundation have even reached the national stage, with their logo displayed on Chris Buescher’s #17 car at Michigan in 2022 and LeBron serving as the honorary starter at the centennial 24 Hours of Le Mans. These gestures underscore his commitment to using his status to shine a spotlight on new pathways for youth, showing that success in sports is possible beyond basketball or even beyond personal circumstance.
The Broader Impact: What’s at Stake for Young Athletes?
LeBron James supporting next Bubba Wallace in NASCAR signals more than personal generosity—it is a challenge to the prevailing idea that motorsport is reserved for the privileged. By collaborating with racing organizations, promoting access for underrepresented youth, and providing firsthand experiences, James is setting a template that other athletes and organizations may seek to replicate.
For aspiring racers like CeCe Wilson and for future generations of dreamers, the legacy being built is not just about fulfilling individual dreams but also confronting systemic barriers. As LeBron’s influence stretches from his roots in Akron to racetracks across the country, the hope is that opportunity in NASCAR becomes defined by talent and passion, not by economic circumstance. More young athletes now have reason to believe their journey can continue, both on court and on track, thanks to the doors LeBron James is determined to open.
