Alex Bowman admitted he didn’t believe Bubba Wallace’s retaliatory act at the Chicago Street Course this weekend merited a penalty given the circumstances, but NASCAR Disagrees.
NASCAR officials fined Wallace $50,000 Wednesday for violating the members’ code of conduct when he slammed his car into the door Bowman No. 48 during the recovery lap of Sunday’s race.
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 7, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
The post-race confrontation sent an unsuspecting Bowman into the wall.
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The situation follows an incident on Lap 25 when Bowman hit Wallace, costing the No. 23 driver a spot on the track and a potential chance to win the race. Wallace finished 13th while Bowman earned his eighth career NASCAR Cup Series victory.
After the race, Bowman said that Wallace should not be punished, adding that he “has every right to be mad.”
Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 McDonald’s 23XI Racing Toyota, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Circuit on July 7, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Ben Hsu/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BUBBA WALLACE COMPETES AGAINST ALEX BOWMAN AFTER TERRIBLE SPILL ON NASCAR’S CHICAGO STREET TRACK
“I would be mad too. I ruined his day. The restart was chaotic. I made every bad decision possible. I was fighting with my wiper switch trying to get it to work, and I couldn’t. I was focused on that, I missed the turn.”
“I locked up all four tires and ran into him,” he continued. “I ruined everything and completely ruined his day. I’m pretty hard on myself when I make mistakes like that, and I’ve been embarrassed about it ever since it happened. During the rain delay, I was sitting there embarrassed and angry at myself.”
Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota, waves to fans as he leaves the stage during driver introductions prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 7, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
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After Sunday’s race, Wallace sits 17th in the playoff standings and has a 45-point lead over the 16-driver field.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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