Tensions ran high in NASCAR this weekend, as Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman reignited their rivalry during the closing laps of the Chicago Street Race. The battle for a top-ten finish boiled over when Bowman spun Wallace on Lap 70, sending the No. 23 Toyota from contention to a disappointing P28.
On the latest Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave fans his take on the incident while dissecting the intense final laps. The NASCAR Hall of Famer admitted he was surprised by Bowman’s aggression, but respected both drivers for keeping it (mostly) clean.
“I thought it was good, hard, hard, hard racing,” Earnhardt Jr. said. “As physical as you could get without going over the line of being ridiculous.”
The altercation started when Wallace and Bowman exchanged door slams through Turn 12. Wallace appeared to initiate contact, but Bowman didn’t back down. Moments later, Bowman returned the favor—ultimately spinning Wallace and securing an eighth-place finish himself.
Earnhardt Jr. highlighted Bowman’s decision to hold his ground as a defining moment.
“Alex just decided, ‘My nose is in there, I’m going to leave it at this point.’”
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Bubba’s NASCAR Playoff Hopes Take a Hit
The dustup couldn’t have come at a worse time for Bubba Wallace, who’s clinging to playoff hopes in a crowded points battle. What looked like a sure top-ten finish turned into a costly drop to 28th, further complicating his postseason path. A win would solve everything, but Wallace remains winless in 2025.
This isn’t the first time these two have tangled especially in Chicago and it likely won’t be the last. For now, though, Wallace may be left wondering what could’ve been.
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