Alex Bowman acknowledged that Bubba Wallace’s retaliation at the Chicago Street Course over the weekend did not merit a penalty given the circumstances, but NASCAR disagreed..
NASCAR officials fined Wallace $50,000 on Wednesday for violating the member code of conduct by ramming his car into the door. Bowman’s No.48 During the cool-down lap before Sunday’s race.
Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Arai Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at the Chicago Street Course on July 7, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
During the post-race showdown, an unsuspecting Bowman crashed into the wall.
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The incident occurred after Bowman spun Wallace out on lap 25, costing the No. 23 driver track position and a chance to win the race. Wallace finished 13th and Bowman earned his eighth NASCAR Cup Series victory.
After the race, Bowman said: Wallace should not be punished. He added: “It’s natural to be angry.”
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 23XI Racing McDonald’s Toyota, 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 retaliates against Alex Bowman after he spins out at NASCAR’s Chicago Street Course
“I would have been angry too. I’d ruined his day. The restart was chaotic. I made all sorts of wrong decisions. I was struggling to get the wiper switch working but it didn’t work. I was too focused on that and I missed the corner.”
“I locked up all four tires and just went into him,” he continued. “I just made a mistake and ruined his day. I blame myself a lot when I make mistakes like this and I’ve been feeling embarrassed ever since it happened. During the rain delay I just sat there feeling embarrassed and angry at myself.”
Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 McDonald’s Toyota, comes off the stage to greet fans during driver introductions before 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, 45 points away from the 16-driver cutoff line.
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydas and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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