Seems like Bubba Wallace has had some time to reflect on his actions from yesterday’s NASCAR race. And now he’s issuing an apology.
In case you missed it, on lap 94 of the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400, Kyle Larson made a pass on Kevin Harvick to go neck and neck with Bubba Wallace who was coming past Harvick on the outside.
Larson rode up the track and put Bubba into the wall.
Kyle Larson hits Bubba Wallace.
Wallace spins him out, and #NASCARPlayoffs driver Christopher Bell is involved! pic.twitter.com/TlxcEV5T6q
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 16, 2022
But Wallace, in a wild and high-speed display of retaliation, took out Larson after the contact, ending both of their days, and taking Christopher Bell, a playoff driver, out in the process.
And then after the wreck, Bubba took off his helmet, walked over to Larson who was exiting his own car, and started shoving him.
Larson declined to engage in what could’ve turned into a roadside fight.
Bubba Wallace is NOT HAPPY with Kyle Larson.
Some pushes and shoves after they wreck. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/aaAn0idrJp
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 16, 2022
Immediately following the race, Bubba was rather pointed in his criticism of Larson:
“When you get shoved into the fence, deliberately like he did, trying to force me to lift, steering is gone… Larson wanted to make a three-wide divebomb, never cleared me.
And I don’t lift, so I know I’m kinda new to running up front, but I don’t lift…. just a piss poor move on his execution.”
And when asked about the dangers of retaliating like that, at those high speeds, Bubba told the trackside reporter:
“Stop fishing, stop fishing…”
Seemed like a valid question to me, especially given the injuries we’ve seen in this new car this season. But ok…
And finally, when asked about taking out fellow Toyota teammate in Christopher Bell in the process, Bubba called it “sports.”
"I don't lift."
Hear from @BubbaWallace after his incident with Kyle Larson. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/XUMPs2sRsf
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 16, 2022
But it seems like Bubba’s calmed down a little bit. Had some time to reflect on his action (and his reaction). And, let’s be honest, probably heard from his team owners and sponsors.
And now he’s issued an apology.
In a statement posted to social media, Wallace apologized for his actions after the wreck – but seemed to stop short of apologizing to Larson for wrecking him, aside from the fact that Christopher Bell was taken out in the incident.
“I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday following the on-track incident with Kyle Larson and the No. 5 car.
My behavior does not align with the core values that are shared by 23XI Racing and our partners, who have played a crucial role in my incredible journey to the top of this great sport.
I want to apologize to NASCAR and the fans, along with Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Toyota for putting them in a situation in the Playoffs that they do not deserve.
I compete with immense passion, and with passion at times comes frustration. Upon reflecting, I should have represented our partners and core team values better than I did by letting my frustrations follow me outside of the car. You live and learn, and I intend to learn from this.”
NASCAR Fans Call For Bubba Wallace’s Suspension After Dangerous Retaliation Against Kyle Larson
There has yet to be any disciplinary actions taken by NASCAR over the retaliation, but needless to say, fans are not happy with Wallace, and many are calling for his suspension.
With the amount of concussion issues we’ve seen this year, including what may be a career ending injury for Kurt Busch, it’s clear these Next Gen cars are not as safe as they should be.
So is intentionally causing a wreck at such a high rate of speed suspension-worthy?
Of course Bubba has probably the largest group of haters in NASCAR and they couldn’t wait to get on the Tweeter and scream for a permanent ban, but this seemed to be more than just your usual Bubba haters calling for a suspension:
Christopher Bell is done for the day.
A massive blow for Bell’s playoffs after Bubba Wallace’s suspension-worthy move.
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) October 16, 2022
Dangerous as could possibly be. Totally intentional.
Bubba Wallace should be suspended for the rest of the season, but @NASCAR won't do a thing.
— Drew Pellman (@Drew_Pellman) October 16, 2022
Bubba Wallace needs to be suspended for at least Homestead-Miami. Lost all respect I had for him after that, whether I’m a Larson fan or not. You don’t hook someone on purpose in an unsafe race car going 170mph and then fight the other driver. Interview didn’t help either #NASCAR
— RG 1️⃣ (@AstroDog25) October 16, 2022
Bubba Wallace wrecked a dude deliberately back onto the racing surface and took out a playoff driver and then exited his car, walked away from the AMR safety team, across the racing surface under caution, and physically assaulted another driver. That’s a suspension.
— Zax (@ZaxCal) October 16, 2022
#NASCAR Bubba Wallace can go fuck himself. Talentless crybaby bitch. Intentionally causes a wreck and acts like it was Larson's fault. Would love to see him get nailed with a huge fine and suspension. No respect for people with that kind of behavior. Good on Larson–
— Elite421Trooper (@Elite421Trooper) October 16, 2022
I have lost my respect for Bubba Wallace. If he doesn’t get suspended I will be furious. He wrecks Kyle Larson on purpose down the straight away
— Jeremy Alberti (@LightningPodcas) October 16, 2022
Bubba Wallace needs a suspension. He thinks he can do anything, without consequences. #NASCAR
— Jack Watson™ ⛱😎 (@topper_fan) October 16, 2022
Hey @NASCAR, you penalized a driver(Custer) for helping his teammate. Bubba Wallace deserves the same $100,000 fine and an indefinite suspension.
Custer put no one in danger, never destroyed anyone’s car and never tried to make you look bad. What Wallace did was disgusting.— 🇺🇸 IndividualPatriot🇺🇸 (@JP_shirley) October 17, 2022
I see a hefty fine/possible suspension coming for Bubba Wallace. That was uncalled for.
— Shane Holinde (@Main_Event_Wx) October 16, 2022
"Rubbing is racing" but Bubba Wallace intentionally did a pit maneuver on Larson. He needs to apologize and then serve his very long suspension.
— John Placette (@john_placette) October 17, 2022
Even self-proclaimed Bubba fans were saying he crossed the line:
I usually don’t trash Bubba Wallace @BubbaWallace but he should be suspended for the season for that. Not classy. Especially In these cars that aren’t safe to take hits like that! Right? @dennyhamlin ?
— Nicholas Fraulino (@NFraulino) October 16, 2022
I love Bubba Wallace, but I just saw what he did. He deserves to be suspended for the rest of the season and mandated anger management. That’s unacceptable.
— Ethan G (@efgregs) October 16, 2022
NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass called for a points deduction and fine, but said the behavior probably wouldn’t warrant a suspension.
Fast Thoughts: Should Bubba Wallace be penalized for hooking and shoving Kyle Larson? pic.twitter.com/aP15IbT6tw
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 17, 2022
And many Bubba fans also pointed out that NASCAR set the precedent to NOT suspend drivers in situations like this way back in 2010 when Carl Edwards flipped Brad Keselowski at Atlanta.
Bubba Wallace intentional crash reminds me of when Carl Edwards flipped Brad K at Atlanta in the Spring of 2010. Another crash that is similar is Kyle Busch wrecking Ron Hornaday in the 2011 fall Texas truck race. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/2odRY8yV4z
— 𝟗𝟗𝐖𝐎𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐒 (@99_Wolves_17) October 17, 2022
Anyone saying #BubbaWallace should be suspended needs to go back and look at the precedent @Nascar has set. Carl Edwards wasn’t suspended for flipping BK, Gragson wasn’t suspended after RA, KK also wasn’t suspended for taking out Danica.
— nah (@wiejfnfjch) October 17, 2022
If I'm @NASCAR, I'd park @BubbaWallace for a race, but as noted elsewhere, Carl Edwards probably really was trying to kill @keselowski back in the day and he wasn't punished. #NASCAR #BubbaWallace https://t.co/vDZkCHUMZH
— Edward the Texas Moran (@TexasMoran) October 17, 2022
NASCAR issues their penalties from the previous race on Tuesdays, so I guess we’ll find out tomorrow what, if any, consequences Bubba will face for his actions.
