Alex Bowman admitted he didn't think Bubba Wallace's retaliatory act during the Chicago Street Course at the weekend was worthy of a penalty considering the circumstances, but NASCAR did not agree.
NASCAR officials fined Wallace $50,000 on Wednesday for violating the members' code of conduct when he crashed his car into the gate of Bowman's number 48 during the cool-down lap of Sunday's race.
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 7, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)
The post-race confrontation sent an unprepared Bowman into the wall.
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The situation came about after an incident on Lap 25, when Bowman spun Wallace, costing the No. 23 driver track position and a potential chance to win the race. Wallace finished 13th, while Bowman ended up earning his eighth career NASCAR Cup Series win.
After the race, Bowman expressed that Wallace should not be punished, adding that he “has every right to be angry.”
Bubba Wallace, driver of the No. 23 McDonald's Toyota for 23XI Racing, drives 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 RETALIATE AGAINST ALEX BOWMAN AFTER SPIN ON NASCAR CHICAGO STREET CIRCUIT
“I would be furious too. I ruined his day. The restart was chaotic. I made all the wrong decisions I could. I struggled with the wiper switch to try to get it to work but I couldn't. I was concentrating on that and I missed the corner.”
“I locked all four wheels and slid into him,” he continued. “I made a mistake and completely ruined his day. I'm pretty hard on myself when I make mistakes like that, and I've been embarrassed by it ever since it happened. The rain delay was a big part of me sitting there, embarrassed and angry with myself.”
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 McDonald's Toyota, waves to fans as he exits the stage during driver introductions prior to 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 and 45 points from the cut line for the 16-driver field.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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