NASCAR is currently scrutinizing an on-track incident involving Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman, which occurred during the cool-down lap of the Grant Park 165 in Chicago this past Sunday.

The incident arose when Bubba Wallace, apparently retaliating for an earlier clash during the race, deliberately collided with Alex Bowman’s car. Earlier in the race, during Stage 1, Bowman’s maneuver had caused Wallace to spin out, escalating tensions between the two drivers. Following the race, NASCAR announced its intention to thoroughly review the incident and contemplate possible penalties for Wallace’s actions.

Despite the heat of the moment, Bowman remained calm when speaking about the incident, which he urged NASCAR to not penalize Wallace for. He said:

“He barely hit me, everything was fine and it was plenty deserved. I’d be mad, too. I ruined his day. I just messed up. I’ve been embarrassed about it since it happened. I tried to call him during the rain delay and I shot him a text.”

NASCAR’s response to such incidents generally involves a meticulous review followed by any necessary sanctions. Drawing from a recent similar situation, Carson Hocevar had been penalized for behavior under caution, which involved point deductions and a $50,000 fine. Given this precedent, potential repercussions for Wallace could mimic those faced by Hocevar. This situation is particularly delicate as Wallace, trailing closely behind in the playoff race, has not yet secured a victory this season and is hanging precariously near the playoff cutoff.

Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald’s Toyota, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway on June 16, 2024 in…


James Gilbert/Getty Images

The outcome of NASCAR’s investigation is expected to be disclosed on Tuesday evening, which leaves the racing community and fans in anticipation of the decision. The incident, both drivers, and the potential penalties highlight the increasing pressures and competitive tensions inherent in racing, especially as the season progresses towards its climax, making every point and every race crucial for the contenders.

2024 Grant Part 165 Cup Series Results

  • A. Bowman – Chevrolet · #48, Status: Running, Points: 54
  • T. Reddick – Toyota · #45, Status: Running, Points: 37
  • T. Gibbs – Toyota · #54, Status: Running, Points: 42
  • J. Hand – Ford · #60, Status: Running, Points: 43
  • M. McDowell – Ford · #34, Status: Running, Points: 32
  • R. Stenhouse Jr. – Chevrolet · #47, Status: Running, Points: 34
  • T. Gilliland – Ford · #38, Status: Running, Points: 33
  • W. Byron – Chevrolet · #24, Status: Running, Points: 29
  • K. Busch – Chevrolet · #8, Status: Running, Points: 28
  • R. Blaney – Ford · #12, Status: Running, Points: 27
  • D. Suárez – Chevrolet · #99, Status: Running, Points: 27
  • D. Hemric – Chevrolet · #31, Status: Running, Points: 29
  • D. Wallace Jr. – Toyota · #23, Status: Running, Points: 28
  • N. Gragson – Ford · #10, Status: Running, Points: 28
  • A. Cindric – Ford · #2, Status: Running, Points: 22
  • J. Haley – Ford · #51, Status: Running, Points: 21
  • Z. Smith – Chevrolet · #71, Status: Running, Points: 20
  • B. Keselowski – Ford · #6, Status: Running, Points: 27
  • A. Dillon – Chevrolet · #3, Status: Running, Points: 18
  • C. Buescher – Ford · #17, Status: Running, Points: 17
  • C. Elliott – Chevrolet · #9, Status: Running, Points: 16
  • R. Chastain – Chevrolet · #1, Status: Running, Points: 15
  • J. Logano – Ford · #22, Status: Running, Points: 14
  • C. Hocevar – Chevrolet · #77, Status: Running, Points: 20
  • H. Burton – Ford · #21, Status: Running, Points: 14
  • K. Grala – Ford · #15, Status: Running, Points: 11
  • C. LaJoie – Chevrolet · #7, Status: Running, Points: 10
  • J. Bilicki – Ford · #66, Status: Running, Points: 0
  • E. Jones – Toyota · #43, Status: Running, Points: 8
  • D. Hamlin – Toyota · #11, Status: Running, Points: 8
  • A. Hill – Chevrolet · #33, Status: Running, Points: 0
  • C. Briscoe – Ford · #14, Status: Running, Points: 12
  • M. Truex Jr. – Toyota · #19, Status: Running, Points: 10
  • R. Preece – Ford · #41, Status: Running, Points: 3
  • J. Nemechek – Toyota · #42, Status: Running, Points: 2
  • J. Berry – Ford · #4, Status: Running, Points: 1
  • C. Bell – Toyota · #20, Status: DNF, Points: 10
  • A. J. Allmendinger – Chevrolet · #13, Status: DNF, Points: 0
  • K. Larson – Chevrolet · #5, Status: DNF, Points: 7
  • S. van Gisbergen – Chevrolet · #16, Status: DNF, Points: 0