Bubba Wallace Fined $50,000 for Chicago Incident

NASCAR has fined Bubba Wallace $50,000 for his actions during Sunday's race in Chicago. Alex Bowman, the race winner, secured his spot in the NASCAR Cup playoffs.

During the race, on lap 25, Bowman collided with Wallace's No. 23 Toyota, sending it into the wall. After the race, during the cool-down lap, Wallace showed his frustration by hitting the side of his car against Bowman's. Bowman downplayed the incident, stating that the hit was barely felt and did not deserve a penalty.

Wallace's Conduct Issues

Bubba Wallace has faced several conduct issues both on and off the track.

Altercation with Aric Almirola

In May 2024, Wallace was involved in a physical altercation with Aric Almirola during a competition meeting between drivers from 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. The dispute arose from disagreements related to the alliance of both teams with Toyota. This altercation resulted in Almirola's suspension from an Xfinity Series race in Charlotte. Wallace, for his part, has preferred not to speak publicly about the incident.

On-Track Incidents Suspension

In 2022, Wallace was suspended for one race after a physical altercation with Kyle Larson at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Tension between the two drivers continued in 2023, when Wallace caused Larson to lose control of his car during a race at the Texas Motor Speedway.

Consequences and Future

Wallace has been fined for his recent actions, and NASCAR will closely monitor his behavior. These incidents continue to affect his reputation and could influence his future within NASCAR.