Bubba Wallace confirmed he will not be appealing the fine NASCAR handed down this week, instead describing it as “the best thing that happened to me.”
Wallace was fined $50,000 for hitting Alex Bowman’s car during the cooldown lap last weekend in Chicago. It was frustration that carried over from contact during the race when Bowman spun Wallace off Turn 2 on lap 25. To make matters worse, Bowman went on to win the race and clinch a playoff spot as Wallace remained below the cutline.
“The penalty was probably the best thing that happened to me,” Wallace said Saturday. “I’ve been miserable for years walking around with a persona that I’m not proud of, and I need to apologize to a lot of people, especially that are close to me. [I’ve been] frustrated and trying way too hard and not focused on the right things.”
Despite the incident, Wallace finished 13th. He pointed out that for the critics, it’s hard to understand how much work (or heart and soul as Wallace said) has gone into improving his efforts on the road and street courses. In seven years at the Cup Series level, Wallace has two top-10 finishes on road courses.
The frustration with Bowman, even hours after it happened given the mid-race red flag for rain, stemmed from Wallace believing Chicago was the team’s “best road course ever.” It was wiped out in two corners when the track conditions changed as Bowman said his windshield wiper wasn’t working and he was trying to get his switches right.
“When that’s all ripped away, you feel some type of entitlement to show your frustration,” Wallace said. “Did I time it wrong? Sure, 100 percent. His window net was down, seatbelts were off — not an ideal situation. It’s the guy you’re racing with in the points and then he goes on to win the race, so it’s like icing on the cake, right? It’s just three or four slaps in the face when you’re working your [butt] off to be better for the team, and just ripped way.
“Not that I’m justifying it all, but I’m a passionate guy. I let my frustration get the best of me, but I will say, I got my media training from Kevin Harvick.”
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Wallace was at Charlotte Motor Speedway to run a Legend Cars race when he was informed of the fine. Harvick was also there with his son, Keelan. It turned out to be a fortunate turn of events because Harvick, now a retired Cup Series champion who has gone through his share of controversy and penalties, could be a wise voice in Wallace’s ear.
The first piece of advice from Harvick was to accept the penalty and show up to the next race with a smile on his face. After all, it could be worse, had there been points or a suspension involved. Harvick then told Wallace to get back to being himself.
“He told me a lot of powerful things [like] to show up and be the fun-loving guy that I am throughout the week,” Wallace said. “I think that has been one of the most important things told to me — that people don’t see who I actually am on Sundays, and that broke me. I always preach about being the same person on and off the racetrack, and it’s a pressure cooker being at the Cup level, and the last four years I’ve been miserable just trying to walk around like everything is OK.
“Not from a mental standpoint; I know I’m big on mental health and my mentals have been in check, but just trying to carry this persona of, ‘Hey, don’t bother me right now, I’m too busy,’ and then one thing goes wrong, the whole thing crumbles. I came into this weekend with a smile on my face and wanting to have fun. That’s what I’m focused on.”
Wallace went on to say that Chicago was the most fun he’s had at a racetrack in a long time. He hopes that translates over to other races as proof he can have fun and pass a lot of cars.
There were some lighthearted moments after the fine was issued. Wallace joked with his wife, Amanda, to hold off on doing more in the nursery for the child they are expecting. Amanda was another person Wallace apologized to because he hasn’t been the best husband, making her walk on eggshells after bad races.
“And that’s not what it’s about,” Wallace said. “It’s about going home and getting a fresh reset and being close to the people that are around you, so that’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m happy.”