Darrell Wallace Jr. has informed Richard Petty Motorsports that he will not return to drive the iconic No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE in the NASCAR Cup Series next season.
Thursday afternoon Richard Petty Motorsports confirmed the news in a statement.
“Earlier this morning, Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr., informed Richard Petty Motorsports he will not be returning for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) season. We will complete the season with Wallace behind the wheel of the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE.
“We look forward to the next chapter in the making for the iconic No. 43 team. We will announce our new driver in the near future.”
The Athletic first reported the story.
While his plans remain unknown for 2021, over the past couple of weeks it is widely known that Wallace has several driving options on the table.
Wallace explained on social media his decision to depart Richard Petty Motorsports following the Nov. 8 race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.
“This was not an easy decision as I have nothing but the utmost respect for Richard Petty and his family, but I believe it’s time for someone else to take over the reins of the No. 43.
“Thank you to the King and everyone at Richard Petty Motorsports for giving me the opportunity to start my Cup Series career. I’ve grown so much as a driver and as a person since joining them.
“We’ve got nine more races together, and I hope we can finish the 2020 season on a high note.”
Wallace first joined RPM in a substitution role in 2017 for the injured Aric Almirola. He joined the team fulltime in 2018 and since then has scored three top-five and nine top-10 finishes, including a second-place effort in the Daytona 500 in February 2018.
Entering Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond (Va.) Raceway, he posted a season-best fifth-place run at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway two weeks ago, along with four other top-10 finishes.
He did not make the Cup Series Playoffs but is 23rd in the championship standings.
As the sport’s only African American driver, the 26-year-old has recently become a hot commodity for companies eager to become more diversified propelling on-track sponsorship and personal endorsement opportunities that include CashApp, Columbia Sportswear and Urban Outfitters.
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) September 10, 2020
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