NASCAR officials have dropped the hammer on driver Bubba Wallace after a post-crash fight and incident involving an official on Sunday.
Wallace was suspended for one race after he crashed into Kyle Larson at Lap 94 of the South Point 400 and proceeded to shove Larson in the aftermath, both of which are violations of Sections 4.3.A and 4.4.C & E of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct laid out in the NASCAR Rule Book.
Rule 4.4.C lists “intentionally wrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from Competition as a result” as one of five member actions that could result in a penalty, reports noted.
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
Wallace issued an apology to fans after the incident, which also included pushing away a NASCAR official, but not to Larson.
“I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday following the on-track incident with Kyle Larson and the No. 5 car,” Wallace said before the suspension. “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.”
Reflection. pic.twitter.com/ZpamWzjZJR
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 17, 2022
Meanwhile, NASCAR also issued a statement:
The incident began at the exit of Turn 4 in the Cup Series’ Round of 8 opener in Nevada, where Larson slid high and forced Wallace into the wall.
Wallace, the victor of Stage 1, turned left into Larson’s right-rear quarter panel, sending the No. 5 Chevrolet spinning toward the outside wall and clipping Christopher Bell in the process.
Bell is still competing for a spot in the Championship 4 while Larson continues to chase an owners’ championship for Hendrick Motorsports. None of the three competitors were able to continue.
In addition to Wallace’s suspension, NASCAR announced four other penalties following the Las Vegas weekend.
Ben Beshore, crew chief of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, will miss the next four races along with jackman Derrell Edwards and tire changer Michael Hicks after the left-front wheel detached from Busch’s car under caution at Las Vegas. The suspensions carry through the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum.
1.) Intentionally hooked someone going 185 mph in an “un-safe” race car
2.) Walked across a hot racetrack
3.) Fought a guy who didn’t fight back
4.) Shoved a NASCAR employee
5.) Blamed the whole incident on the car malfunctioning
Did I miss anything?#BubbaWallace pic.twitter.com/m9I6NCv5Hk
— Caleb (@caleb_matthew21) October 16, 2022
This isn’t the first time that Wallace has been a jerk:
https://twitter.com/LivePDDave1/status/1582487056797773824
Wallace exhibits the same violent response behavior played out in urban streets everyday because he can’t control his aggression. Bad look. @BubbaWallace https://t.co/UgPrlydM8s
— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) October 19, 2022
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.