Chase Elliott's number 9 car demonstrates his NASCAR star power on the track.
Bubba Wallace believes that a vital change could help NASCAR reach a broader audience and potentially elevate him above established names like Chase Elliott, raising the conversation around Chase ElliottNASCAR star power. As Wallace advances through this year’s playoffs with top finishes and momentum, he outlined how NASCAR could follow other global sports in creating larger-than-life personalities who become recognized beyond the race track.
Wallace Pushes for Greater Recognition in NASCAR
After securing his playoff spot with a win and continuing his strong run with a sixth-place finish at Darlington and eighth at Gateway, Wallace turned his focus to the bigger picture in his conversation with Jeff Gluck’s 12 Questions. He contrasted the recognition of NASCAR drivers with international figures such as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, noticing a gap between them and even NASCAR fan favorites like Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney. According to Wallace, drivers in American stock car racing lack the level of attention seen in other motorsports.
Wallace emphasized the difference in celebrity status, saying,
“I think it’s star power, but I don’t know how to fix the star power. You need an athlete where people want to tune in and watch how that person does.”
Bubba Wallace Suggests Winning Is the Key to Mainstream Fame
The 23XI Racing driver explained that consistent success is crucial for any driver aiming for mainstream recognition. Wallace shared his thoughts on the current crop of racers, including himself, Chase Elliott, and Ryan Blaney, and suggested that regular wins are what truly put athletes in the spotlight. He remarked,
Image of: Chase Elliott
“If I could go on a hot streak here and win six out of the last nine… because I’m not tooting my own horn, but if you dropped the three names I just said, myself, Chase, or Ryan, in New York, I’m getting recognized first.”
—Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing driver
He further noted the importance of breaking through the sport’s traditional boundaries, stating,
“You have the ability to go beyond our little bubble into the mainstream. Yes, but it takes winning. I have to win to be able to do that, and not just one in every three years.”
—Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing driver
Comparing Past and Present Star Power
In the heyday of the sport, racers like Dale Earnhardt Sr., Richard Petty, and Jeff Gordon were instantly recognizable celebrities, drawing viewers with both their driving skills and enormous personalities. The anticipation of watching these stars dominate competition—and seeing who could possibly unseat them—created a compelling narrative for fans and drew considerable attention from audiences nationwide.
However, the shift toward a more balanced competition due to car parity and a deeper field of skilled drivers has dimmed that distinctive aura. Where once a few stars captivated mainstream attention, today’s NASCAR drivers must find new ways to claim that elusive celebrity recognition and grow beyond being only motorsports figures.
What This Could Mean for NASCAR’s Future Appeal
If Bubba Wallace or other current competitors manage to establish dynamic, winning streaks, NASCAR may be able to recreate the wide public interest seen in past decades. Building new stars with household-name status could attract new fans and reinvigorate the sport’s profile. The ongoing question remains: can anyone in the field, including those with Chase Elliott NASCAR star power, reach and sustain that mainstream visibility to match legendary figures like Earnhardt, Petty, or Gordon in a changing sports landscape?
