When the NASCAR Cup Series arrived at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Friday, there was a familiar face missing from the garage.
23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace was absent in accordance to a one-race penalty NASCAR officials issued to him following his on-track actions last Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
The highly-publicized incident involved an aggressive pass that Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson attempted on Wallace, which resulted in intentional retaliation from the No. 45. Wallace hooked the right-rear end of Larson, causing both cars to spin out and consequentially ending both of their runs in Las Vegas. Playoff driver Christopher Bell was also collected in the chaos.
It wasn’t over for Wallace, though, as he climbed out of his Toyota in the heat of the moment and proceeded to walk across the track to where Larson’s No. 5 car had come to rest in the in-field. Wallace then verbally and physically confronted Larson, who refused to engage.
On Tuesday, NASCAR officials made a ruling to suspend Wallace for the race in Homestead.
Several drivers have since spoken out about the incident — some lending a degree of understanding while others outright disagree with Wallace’s actions.
Denny Hamlin, co-owner of 23XI Racing, believes the penalty has served its rightful purpose and that Wallace will be better for it.
“He [Wallace] was certainly frustrated by the on-track part of it, and that I understand,” Hamlin said. “Not a good look for our team, but he’s also going to learn … We’ve all done tough stuff in our career that has defined us and it’s kind of how you return from it that will define him.”
While it’s easy for emotions to run high at speeds near 200 mph, Hamlin admitted a driver still has an underlying responsibility to the sponsors that adorn their car and gear, as well as to the team they represent.
“Obviously, we didn’t approve of the way he reacted there and, obviously, support NASCAR’s decision,” Hamlin said.
Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez had a different opinion.
With six years of experience in the Cup Series, Suarez is well aware that racing at such an elite level often requires pushing the limits. But he believes every driver should be conscious of where that limit is.
Specifically in regard to the recent penalties dealt to Wallace and Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer — who allegedly slowed down during the Bank of America 400 at the Charlotte ROVAL to help teammate Chase Briscoe advance in the playoffs — Suarez labels the drivers’ decisions as “extremely, extremely dumb.”
He continued, “And all of them, I was going to be extremely surprised if there weren’t penalties. I don’t know what those guys were thinking. I’m glad NASCAR is reacting to this, because, when is too much?”
Suarez experienced the ruthlessness of the NASCAR playoffs at the ROVAL, as he was unable to advance to the Round of 8 due to power steering issues. However, his teammate Ross Chastain is well within reach of the championship at second in the standings.
While Suarez readily acknowledges his on-track aggression toward his teammate may be lower in the upcoming weeks as Chastain fights for the title, there is still a level of competition that he will maintain against Chastain as a professional.
“I will never give up a win to help him,” Suarez said. “I race everyone hard.”