Darrell Wallace Jr. joins Richard Petty Motorsports to drive No. 43 full-time in 2018

Darrell Wallace Jr. replaces Aric Almirola and will become the first African-American driver to race full-time in the NASCAR Cup series since 1971.

Richard Petty Motorsports named Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. to drive its No. 43 car full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series next year, the team announced Wednesday.

Wallace, 24, replaces Aric Almirola and will be the first African-American driver to race full-time in NASCAR’s top division since Wendell Scott in 1971. Scott, inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015, is the lone African-American driver to win a race in NASCAR’s top division.

Wallace owns six wins in the Camping World Truck Series in 45 starts, and has a best finish of second in 85 starts in the Xfinity Series. He was second in Xfinity points when he lost his ride with Roush Fenway Racing in June due to a lack of funding.

Wallace made four Cup starts with RPM this summer filling in for the injured Almirola, who broke his back in a crash at Kansas Speedway in May. Wallace improved his finish in each subsequent race placing 26th in his series debut, followed by results of 19th, 15th, and 11th.

RPM is co-owned by Richard Petty, a seven-time premier division champion whose 200 wins is a NASCAR record. All seven of Petty’s championships came driving the No. 43 car, considered one of the most famous in the sport’s history. He retired following the 1992 season and Wallace is the 10th driver to drive the car full-time since.

“This is a dream come true to race for ‘The King,’ Richard Petty Motorsports, the iconic No. 43 and for all the fans and partners that have and continue to support this team,” Wallace said in a statement.

Almirola announced in September he would leave RPM after a five-year stint driving the No. 43 car. The 33-year-old Almirola earned one victory with the team and qualified for the 2014 playoffs. Although he has not formally disclosed his plans for the 2018 season, he is expected to join Stewart-Haas Racing where he will replace Danica Patrick.

RPM said a sponsor for the No. 43 team will be announced at a later date.