Bubba Wallace’s banged-up Camaro that helped make NASCAR star famous up for auction

Mark Price
·2 min read

Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. is arguably the best known driver in NASCAR right now, which means bidding could exceed expectations when a car that helped make him famous goes up for auction to benefit charity.

His No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL 1 is being sold by Julien’s Auctions to benefit the MusiCares Relief Fund on Sept. 9 in Beverly Hills.

The banged-up car was driven by Wallace at the 2018 Daytona 500, where he “became the highest finishing rookie in their Daytona debut,” LiveAuctioneers.com reported.

Julien’s Auctions says NASCAR star Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr.’s 2018 Daytona 500 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be sold at the MusiCares Auction, Sept. 9 in Beverly Hills.
Julien’s Auctions says NASCAR star Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr.’s 2018 Daytona 500 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will be sold at the MusiCares Auction, Sept. 9 in Beverly Hills.

Wallace is making history as “the first full-time African-American driver in NASCAR Cup Series since 1971,” according to the Charlotte Observer.

Memorabilia experts predict bids could reach $60,000. However, high interest in Wallace’s growing legacy drove the bidding to $83,200 when former owner, Richard Petty Motorsports, put the same Camaro up for auction in 2018. The high bidder, who was not identified, recently donated the car to be sold again to benefit MusiCares, a COVID-19 fund that helps musicians, Julien’s Auctions told McClatchy News.

Wallace has made headlines multiple times in recent weeks, due to a series of controversies associated with ongoing civil unrest around the nation. He successfully led a push for NASCAR to keep Confederate battle flags out of its race tracks, then became part of an FBI investigation when a rope tied into a noose was found in his garage.

The investigation found no evidence of wrong doing, but President Donald Trump later added to the controversy by demanding Wallace apologize to fellow NASCAR drivers over the matter.

Julien’s Auctions says Wallace has autographed the Camaro up for auction, which remains in the exact condition it was when “rolled-off the Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.”

“This very special car and I made history together,” Wallace said in a press release. “It was my first Daytona 500 and there was so much hype going into the race. I’m happy that this car will now go towards helping so many others land back on their feet and pursue their dreams like it did for me.”

Wallace has been a full-time driver for the Richard Petty Motorsports since 2018. He is now “one of NASCAR’s top drivers with six series wins and is the first African-American driver since Wendell Scott to win a NASCAR national series race in 1963,” according to Julien’s Auctions.