LAS VEGAS (AP) — Bubba Wallace often threw his way through “Peace. Loving. Understanding.” To defy negativity and vitriol.
there was no peace or understanding On Wallace’s skirmish with Kyle Larson at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway over the weekend. wallace appeared Deliberately crash the reigning NASCAR champion Taking dangerous retaliation on Sunday, He then tried to fight Larson.
Now NASCAR is in a no-win situation as it decides if Wallace is off the line.
No penalty? It is classified as favoritism, There may even be fear of punishing the star of Michael Jordan’s race teamremains the only black driver at the top level of the sport.
Light punishment? It provokes a mind-boggling debate over precedent.
suspension? This would be a strong statement against what NASCAR already considers taboo: drivers using their cars as weapons. However, his driver suspension in the final three weeks of the season will be another major headache for America. Licensing bodies are now putting out fires around the corner.
Wallace is one of NASCAR’s most polarizing drivers, and his success in 2020 with NASCAR banning the Confederate flag from its races has left fans deeply divided.
The false story that Wallace disguised a hate crime — after it was discovered that a garage haul at his garage stall in Talladega was made as a noose — still circulates among some fans, but he never saw it, and even the FBI classified it as a noose.
Wallace claims the steering wheel broke He had no control over the Toyota when Larson bounced him off a wall, shooting down a speedway and hooking Larson’s car.
The data will show if that is true. Does not pass the eyeball test.
It looked as if Wallace had chased Larson and purposely drilled the car in one of the most dangerous moves in NASCAR racing: the rear corner. Wallace’s hit spun Larson back straight into traffic, where he crashed into title contender Christopher Bell’s door.
Had he not hit Bell’s car, Larson’s trajectory would have sent him backwards into the wall in a potential nightmare situation. The new next generation car is too stiff in the back Drivers are absorbing too much energy on impact. Two drivers out with concussionsNASCAR held safety briefings over the last two race weekends, And no fix until next season.
Larson Believed Wallace was angry because he pressured Wallace On the wall. He wasn’t upset that Wallace charged after him when Larson tried to get out of the way. I’m not going to be,” Larson said last year of the drivers’ battle.
Larson believes Wallace crossed the line when it comes to safety.
“With everything that’s been going on here lately, head injuries….I don’t think it’s probably the right thing to do,” Larson said. “I’m sure everything is going well. He will realize that he made a mistake on the retaliatory part and will think about it better next time.”
At least Wallace broke the rules by walking on the live track after getting out of the crashed car to confront Larson. It shows that it was just thrown away.
It’s impossible to predict what NASCAR will do to Wallace’s Larson’s repeated thrusts.
Regardless of NASCAR’s decision, this will stick with Wallace for some time.
He has never had the benefit of doubt from NASCAR fans and is often accused of not being worthy of heavily funded and seat driving for Jordan and Denny Hamlin at 23XI Racing. He endures an enormous amount of hate, and those very critical will find that he has exploded against his fellow competitors before.
For all these reasons, perhaps Wallace deserves a little peace and understanding. He never sought to be the face of NASCAR’s diversity. In 2020, the role fell on his lap during a national assessment on issues of social justice.
Yes, sometimes reluctantly, Wallace has benefited greatly from using that platform. It’s not just that Jordan became the boss. Wallace even gets to drive his No. 23 as a tribute to the NBA greats.
It comes with a lot of pressure.
Wallace is now expected to win the race, and over the course of two seasons he has only won twice. He is expected to make it to the playoffs (which he has yet to do) and will be a key cog in Toyota’s core driver group.
His career stats this season are up in every meaningful category except lap count, so in theory Wallace is making big strides.
And he always had a chip on his shoulder, which Wallace was quick to admit, he’s known for being moody. Now he’s got a great car, a great team, and big expectations. I’m here. All of that was mixed when Larson squeezed him. Wallace led his 29 laps, but an aggressive game of chicken with Larson took place between his two drivers not in contention for the Cup title.
Wallace was unfazed. I think it’s my first time running in front, but I don’t lift my body. “
So he didn’t. Now Toyota teammate Bell dropped to bottom of his field in the eight-driver playoffs as he was involved in a brawl. Larson was left out of the drivers’ playoffs, but his car remained in the Owners’ Championship, finishing 35th.
And Wallace? Now he must apply his “peace”. love. Understanding. “A philosophy for everything he comes out of NASCAR, and a philosophy for everyone else.
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