Bubba Wallace slams NASCAR driver who wrecked him in All-Star Race qualifier: ‘What a joke he is’

Bubba Wallace was knocked out of the NASCAR All-Star Race qualifying event early.

Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. was looking to either race his way into Wednesday’s All-Star Race at Bristol Motor Speedway or qualify for the exhibition event by winning the fan vote.

But after wrecking early in the NASCAR All-Star Open — the qualifying race for some drivers held immediately before the main event — he’ll do neither because he no longer has a car to race.

Just 17 laps into the qualifying event, Michael McDowell in the No. 34 Ford appeared to turn Wallace in the No. 43 Chevrolet into the wall, which totally destroyed the car. Wallace was evaluated and released from the infield care center, but he was furious with McDowell.

Although NASCAR doesn’t announce the winner of the fan vote until after the All-Star Open, the last time it released the fan vote standings, Wallace was in the lead to earn a spot in the All-Star Race and have a shot at the $1 million purse.

Wallace spoke to FOX Sports afterward and slammed McDowell, calling him a joke. When asked what it felt like from his perspective in the car, he said:

“Oh, just disrespect. When you get hooked into the wall — my hair looks terrible. Sorry, Mom. When you get hooked the right rear into the wall — I don’t even need to see a replay. Look at that. Yeah, wow. People say one of the nicest guys in the garage. Can’t wait for the God-fearing text he’s going to send me about preaching and praising respect. What a joke he is.”

Without a drivable car, it doesn’t matter if Wallace technically had the highest tally in the fan vote because he no longer has a car to race.

The NASCAR All-Star Race is immediately following the All-Star Open, where the winners of the three stages will advance to the main event. The All-Star Race is at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

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