No points deduction for ‘behavioral penalty’ after post-checker door slam, following a previous contact with Bowman that spun him.
Bubba Wallace’s frustration boiled over after the NASCAR Cup Series race at the Chicago Street Course, where he was penalized for running into Alex Bowman on the cool-down lap. Wallace’s aggressive move came after a Lap 25 incident where Bowman clipped Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota, causing a spin that not only derailed Wallace’s chances for a strong finish but also impacted Daniel Suarez’s race in the No. 99 car. Despite starting from sixth and running in the top 10, Wallace ultimately finished 13th and was not in contention for the win after the contact.
As Wallace fights to secure a playoff spot, this incident with Bowman—who won the darkness-shortened race—adds another layer of intensity to Wallace’s season. Tempers flaring on the cool-down lap is not uncommon in NASCAR, but the penalty for Wallace highlights the pressures drivers face in the final stretch before the playoffs. While Bowman’s victory was celebrated, the tension between him and Wallace will likely continue to simmer, especially with both drivers vying for success in the tightly contested Cup Series standings.
NASCAR’s decision to fine Bubba Wallace $50,000 but not dock him any driver points following his post-race collision with Alex Bowman at the Chicago Street Course demonstrates their measured approach to handling such incidents. While Wallace’s actions were deemed a violation of NASCAR’s Member Code of Conduct, resulting in a behavioral penalty, NASCAR chose not to deduct points—contrary to a previous case involving rookie Carson Hocevar at Nashville, where driver points were penalized for a safety-related incident under caution.
Bowman, who inadvertently triggered Wallace’s frustration by clipping his car during the race, admitted fault and expressed understanding for Wallace’s anger, even reaching out during a rain delay to apologize. Bowman, now the race winner, sympathized with Wallace, saying, “He has every right to be mad; I’d be mad, too,” recognizing the frustration caused by the earlier contact.
This isn’t the first time Wallace has faced penalties for race-related behavior, as he was fined and docked points in 2019 after admitting to intentionally spinning out to bring out a caution while driving for Richard Petty Motorsports. However, NASCAR’s decision to only fine Wallace this time, without taking points, might be a reflection of the nature of the incident and Bowman’s own acknowledgment of responsibility. The fallout from this incident could still add tension between the drivers, especially as Wallace continues his fight to make the playoffs.
