Often, one gets to learn their lessons the hard way after facing the consequences of their actions. And not many in the NASCAR grid know it better than Bubba Wallace. The wound is yet to heal for him as well as Kyle Larson from the physical altercation that took place between the two drivers at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway last year.
While still dealing with the demons of the past, the 23XI Racing driver witnessed another act unfolding in front of his eyes, during the race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway that perhaps reminded him of the incident from last year. However, it was not Wallace who was involved in a wreck. Rather, it was his boss Denny Hamlin, as well as HMS rival Chase Elliott.
And following the same trajectory as Bubba Wallace, the Golden Boy of NASCAR was also slapped with a one-race suspension. But the question that arises is, whether Michael Jordan’s driver learned his bitter lesson.
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Bubba Wallace learns a better way to retaliate on the track, after being suspended
The race at World Wide Technology was perhaps the most awaited race after the Coca-Cola 600. With Hendrick Motorsports Chase Elliott being suspended for the race after hooking Hamlin’s right rear, NASCAR fans were eager to see how Corey LaJoie would perform as the #9 substitute.
But even before the race began, it was the pre-race interviews that caught the attention of the fans. One of the most commonly asked questions was whether the suspension of Chase Elliott was justified or not. But Wallace had a different question waiting for him.
In a pre-race interview with FOX, Kenny Wallace, the guest analyst asked the #23 driver, “With all the beating banging and hooking, lately, if you are attacked today do you retaliate or has everybody learned their lesson yet?”
To this, the already punished Wallace replied, “I have learned my lesson for sure.” He also added the fact that, “And MJ will text you right away, ‘You go beat him on the racetrack. That is your retaliation.”
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Kenny Wallace shows his displeasure for Bubba Wallace after Coke 600
However, this reaction comes days later, after the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, when Bubba Wallace and Aric Almirola had a tussle after the race on the track when Almirola shoved the 23XI Racing driver. He confronted Wallace on the fact that Wallace ran all over him during the race.
He also expressed his displeasure, “I just went by and asked him why you shot me the bird. I felt like I gave him a lot of room and a lot of respect, and he started mouthing off and saying a lot of bad things and cussing at me after he shot me the bird, so I just wasn’t gonna take that.”
Even Kenny Wallace had expressed his concerns about Bubba Wallace. He said, “It’s not making you look good, it’s making you look worse. If you want to hold your ground, hold your ground like a man, but don’t MF everybody and flip everybody off. I don’t like that look for you Bubba.”
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Nevertheless, the race at the Gateway was not favorable for 23XI Racing, as Tyler Reddick was caught in the middle of a wreck while Bubba Wallace had a comparatively better race. Until his brakes gave way and he faltered to take the checkered with 5 laps to go.
Read More: “It’s Filth … I’m P*ssed All the Time” – Kenny Wallace Doesn’t Bite His Tongue on Why He Quit FOX Sports