NASCAR is set to review an incident involving Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman during the cool-down lap after the Grant Park 165 in Chicago for a potential penalty, as reported by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass.
The incident happened shortly after Bowman secured a race win on a time-shortened day. Wallace, who had been spun out by Bowman earlier in the race, drove alongside Bowman’s car and forcefully slammed him into the barrier wall, expressing his frustration over his disappointing race.
His contact came just moments after Bowman had unhooked his window netting. Bowman was in the process of raising his visor and wiping sweat from his brow when the collision occurred, and he appeared shocked at the response from Bubba Wallace.
But it was clearly on his mind immediately following the race, because he quickly apologized to Wallace for the earlier collision on the track.
“I have to apologize again to the 23 guys,” Bowman said. “Just messed up and trying to get my windshield wiper on and missed a corner and ruined their day. So I hate that. I’m still embarrassed by it, but we have a trophy to take home.”
NASCAR, of course, will now take a look at Wallace’s dooring of Bowman to see if it merits any penalties. It very well could be a violation of the organization’s code of conduct penalty, though enforcement can vary.
Penalties are typically handed down on Tuesday evenings.
The frustration for Bubba Wallace comes as he’s on the edge of the playoff cut line. Going into the day, Bowman was just inside the cut at No. 16, while Wallace was 51 points back below the cut line at No. 17.
Needless to say, the frustration boiled over after the race with Wallace’s dangerous bump.
Bubba Wallace has had a tough season, unable to quite get things going despite some quality races here and there. He’s been involved in a lot of contact this season, contact that has kept him from some more competitive finishes.
He’s getting close to must-win territory and having a driver essentially ruin his day with a mistake made for a difficult day.
