SerpApi.Org
After finishing sixth in Sunday’s Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Bubba Wallace ended up taking a subtle jab at NASCAR. It seems like Wallace hasn’t forgotten the ruthless penalty that NASCAR slammed on him at Atlanta. His runner-up finish was taken away, and the Alabama native was left with a disappointing P29.
So here is what happened. Wallace tried executing a three-wide pass around leaders Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar. And while doing so, he crossed the double yellow line that drivers are forbidden from crossing under any circumstances. NASCAR black-flagged Wallace, and what could have been his best finish of the 2026 season ended in an equally lackluster manner. Fast-forward to North Wilkesboro, where Wallace cryptically mentioned his Atlanta penalty.
Wallace was doing okay in his car. It hit him only after the checkered flag flew. “The heat was OK,” Wallace told TNT Sports. ”I was actually fine in the car. It’s just the adrenaline. As soon as you end, I could still run another hundred laps. But as soon as you stop and reset, that’s when the adrenaline just leaves the building.”
Wallace bagged a P6 at North Wilkesboro Speedway, marking his 10th top-10 of the 2026 season. Next up for the driver is the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which he won last year. Notably, it was his first-ever crown jewel victory. Needless to say, the #23 speedster is excited.
“So all in all, good night for our Coca-Cola team. No yellow line and fractions. I get to keep my finishing position. And yeah, it sets us up nice for the Brickyard next week, which we have a lot of confidence and momentum going into,” he added.
Fans can watch Wallace in action during the 30th running of the Brickyard 400 this Sunday, July 26, on TNT Sports. Radio updates will be available on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Is Bubba Wallace Returning to 23XI Racing in 2027?
Bubba Wallace started his season strong, with a top-10 run in the Daytona 500. But soon, his Cup campaign got plagued by mechanical errors, massive wrecks, and costly penalties.
21 races into the season, Wallace has yet to earn his maiden NASCAR Cup Series victory, with an alarming six finishes of 29th or worse. Amid all that, one could ask if Wallace will return to 23XI Racing next year.
The short answer is yes. Denny Hamlin, who owns 23XI Racing, is aware of Wallace’s passion, as well as the sheer unpredictable nature of the sport. So, as long as Wallace continues pushing for the best, things are going to be okay between 23XI and Wallace, he assured.
“On speed, it seems that team is very capable week in, week out of being a top 5 on speed team,” Hamlin said during a media session at Sonoma. “Execution has been a little bit of an issue. But overall, we definitely don’t question Bubba’s ability to get the most out of what that car is capable of.”
“It’s part of the sport and whatnot. The biggest thing is just focusing on what you can control,” he added. Bubba Wallace is currently ranked 13th in points, with a 55-point advantage on the current Chase cutoff line.
