NASCAR has laid the hammer down after the race weekend at the Chicago Street Course. On Wednesday morning, NASCAR announced that it has given Bubba Wallace a $50,000 fine after hitting Alex Bowman after the checkered flag. Wallace hit Bowman into the wall on his driver’s side as the No. 48 car had its window net down. The right front tire briefly left the track.
However, NASCAR decided that Chase Elliott’s situation didn’t deserve a penalty. Elliott ran down Daniel Suarez after the checkered flag and showed his displeasure. The driver of the No. 9 car got in front of Suarez and caused the No. 99 car to swerve to the right. Despite Suarez having his window net down, there was no contact with the wall and NASCAR deemed it OK.
So, why did Wallace get a penalty while Elliott left Chicago with nothing? The 23XI Racing driver made contact with Bowman, and it was enough to take the No. 48 car’s right front tire off the ground. In fact, Bowman’s hands apparently came off the wheel, according to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass. With the window net down, it created a dangerous situation as Bowman hit the wall on his side of the car.
Bubba Wallace has been fined $50,000 for this post-race incident with Alex Bowman. pic.twitter.com/C9GP93C4zC
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 10, 2024
As for Elliott, there was no significant contact, which seems to be the difference between the two situations. Suarez never hit the wall, and while Elliott caused him to swerve right, he went forward without any issues. There was slight contact when Elliott initially reached Suarez, but nothing would have warranted a penalty. According to Pockrass, NASCAR plans to talk to Elliott about the situation.
It’s clear that Wallace’s contact with Bowman was far worse; however, did Elliott deserve a fine, too? Both drivers have been suspended for intentionally wrecking a driver on the track in the last few years. If the past were considered, it would be surprising to see Elliott leave without a smaller fine. If not, it would make sense for NASCAR to only look at this situation, which seems like what happened.
Either way, no points were stripped, so NASCAR didn’t affect the playoff picture. Wallace and Elliott can now move forward as the 2024 NASCAR playoffs start in about two months.
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