16 drivers vigorously vied for advancement in the playoffs. They now push themselves to secure more points, striving to stay within the coveted top 12. In their quest, some drivers resorted to aggressive tactics. Amid this heightened aggression, collisions became inevitable, and one such incident that sparked controversy was the Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman and Daniel Suarez wreck.
Following the crash, emotions ran high, with Daniel Suarez expressing his disappointment. This raised numerous questions about Alex Bowman’s blocking maneuvers. However, as of now, NASCAR officials have not issued any statements regarding potential penalties. Adding to the drama, Bubba Wallace‘s spotter, Freddie Kraft, revealed a shocking radio conversation pertaining to the Alex Bowman-Daniel Suarez fiasco.
Bubba Wallace’s spotter shares his team’s concerns about the No. 48 Chevy in Darlington
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The playoff opener at Darlington, spanning 367 laps, served as the initial challenge for the 16 drivers. This track put teams’ strategies to the test, particularly their ability to manage tire wear in a place where it’s the norm.
During the race, Alex Bowman’s attempt to block Daniel Suarez was a pivotal moment. Initially, Bowman tried to block Chastain, but it was his second block that pushed the limits and led to their unfortunate collision. Michael Jordan‘s No. 23 spotter Freddie Kraft shed some light on the insights during the ‘Door Bumper Clear’ podcast that his drivers already had a sense that trouble might be brewing for Bowman before the crash.
Freddie started, “For whatever reason on that restart we were starting outside him basically over a row behind him on the outside and I guess my guys standing before the 48 or I don’t know how it came up but they told me on the radio on channel 2, ‘Freddie be watching for the 48 he says he getting in a hole somewhere he’s making a hole somewhere to get in.”
“So we, there was no hole to get up in front of us. Obviously, we get around him more than almost identical situations that happened almost two laps before this wreck. Alex didn’t get a great run of 4 and Ross was behind him. Ross got a good run and Alex threw a big block down to Ross, which didn’t work. Ross still got around him.”
In fact, Freddie also provided insight into the nature of Alex Bowman’s blocking maneuver.
Watch this story: Amidst Playoff Concerns, Chase Elliott Dismisses the Idea of New Hendrick Motorsports Narrative
The aftermath: Suarez calls out Bowman for “dumb move”
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The incident raises questions about on-track behavior and responsibility. In racing, blocking and aggressive maneuvers are not uncommon, especially in high-stakes situations like the playoffs. It’s often a fine line between defending your position and causing an accident.
Daniel Suarez expressed his frustration on Twitter, calling Alex Bowman’s move “dumb” and expressing disappointment about the impact on his team’s results.
I’d use other words but that wouldn’t be appropriate so let’s stick to “dumb move”. I’m not surprised by now.
My team deserved better today, we struggled in the short run but were strong in the long run, our @Freeway_Ins Chevy was a top10 car.
We’ll bounce back in Kansas.— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) September 4, 2023
However, Alex Bowman seemed to view these blocking maneuvers as a standard part of racing, and he pointed out that Daniel Suarez had also blocked him in the past.
An explanation of what happened with @Daniel_SuarezG from @Alex_Bowman. pic.twitter.com/tJaaC2QKPz
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 4, 2023
Freddie Kraft, during his podcast, aimed to provide insights into the incident involving Alex Bowman’s blocking. He emphasized, “Alex was doing what he had to do, but it looked pretty bad though.”
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What is your perspective on the incident? Let us know in the comments below.
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