NASCAR Cup Series

Just can't wait: 'Bubba' Wallace amped for Martinsville truck race

Published Mar. 29, 2014 8:00 a.m. ET

Jared Turner

The driver nicknamed "Bubba" scored his first career truck win last fall at Martinsville and in the process became the first African-American to reach Victory Lane in a NASCAR national series event since Wendell Scott in 1963.

"How long has it been -- like three years since we've raced? That's what it feels like," Wallace said. "My hair has gotten this long and it's horrible since I haven't cut it since Daytona. It's good to be back in the Toyota Tundra here this weekend in Martinsville. I'm going for the repeat. We were fast here in the spring last year, so we're backing that up again. ... We're trying to definitely take home another clock. I'm not that great in telling time so I think two clocks would help that out."

And rest assured, he is not about to rest on the laurels of last fall's triumph at the .526-mile Martinsville oval.

"I'm a winner, but I'm a loser, too, because I lost the next race so you're automatically back in the losers bracket, too," said Wallace, a Joe Gibbs Racing development driver and almumnus of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program.

"That's the tough thing about this sport. We're looking to get back on that list and go for two in a row here at Martinsville."

"Going into this season, the confidence level has definitely been there and I'm excited about this year," Wallace said. "I think we're capable -- I know we're capable of more wins, and we just have to put everything in line and go out there and make it happen, and for me to put everything in line and not to wreck.

"We've always had the speed -- my Toyota Tundra was fast each and every weekend of last year, and we're looking to do the same. For me, it's changing the whole game plan from the driver's seat."