… Wendell Scott in the Grand National Division, now the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, on December 1, 1963. Wallace finished 8th in points in his rookie season.
Although Petty, aka “The King,” won the Daytona 500 a record seven times, his racing team has been mired in mediocrity. Wallace has brought much-needed excitement.
“We have hired a lot of different drivers in the past, but Wallace brings a lot of youth and talent to our team,” Petty said in October when he announced that Wallace would be driving No. 43. “He’s proven at a young age to be able to be consistent on a weekly basis, give feedback to the team to help improve the car and race hard to get the best finish possible. He knows how to win, too …We feel that Bubba can immediately come in and compete. He’s really eager to show what he can do and that he belongs in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.”