BREAKING NEWS: NASCAR Fines Bubba Wallace $300,000 and Issues Two-Race Suspension Over Tire Tampering Allegations..
In a significant disciplinary action, NASCAR has fined Bubba Wallace $100,000 and docked him 50 driver and owner points for alleged race manipulation during the Martinsville Speedway event in November 2024
. This penalty is part of a broader crackdown that also affected drivers Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain, along with their respective teams. Each driver and team faced identical sanctions, including substantial fines and point deductions, as NASCAR aims to uphold the integrity of the sport .
The controversy centers on the final laps of the Martinsville race, where NASCAR officials scrutinized radio communications and on-track behaviors for signs of intentional race manipulation. Wallace, driving the No. 23 car for 23XI Racing, reportedly slowed down, citing a tire issue, which allowed fellow Toyota driver Christopher Bell to advance. However, post-race inspections found no evidence of tire problems, leading NASCAR to conclude that Wallace’s actions were deliberate .
In addition to the penalties imposed on the drivers, NASCAR suspended nine team members across the involved teams. For 23XI Racing, this included crew chief Bootie Barker, spotter Freddie Kraft, and team executive Dave Rogers. These suspensions were enforced during the season finale at Phoenix Raceway, underscoring NASCAR’s commitment to deterring any form of race manipulation .
This incident adds to Wallace’s history of disciplinary actions. In 2022, he received a one-race suspension for an on-track altercation with Kyle Larson at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, marking the first such suspension for a driver since 2015 . Earlier in 2024, Wallace was fined $50,000 for intentionally colliding with Alex Bowman after the Chicago Street Course race, further highlighting concerns about his conduct on the track .
Despite these setbacks, Wallace has shown moments of introspection. Following the Martinsville incident, he acknowledged feeling “miserable” at the track for years and expressed a desire to improve both personally and professionally . As NASCAR continues to enforce its regulations strictly, Wallace’s future in the sport will likely depend on his ability to align with the organization’s expectations and maintain competitive integrity.
