via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, speaks to the Media during the NASCAR Next Gen Test at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
via Getty
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – JANUARY 12: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, speaks to the Media during the NASCAR Next Gen Test at Daytona International Speedway on January 12, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
After Bubba Wallace was handed just a single race penalty, many criticized the easy punishment handed by NASCAR. Even Former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr went out to speak his mind on how NASCAR should have handled the situation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
According to the transcript, Junior stated, “A lot of people thought that this was the right choice. I wouldn’t have made it. I don’t hate it, I don’t hate the suspension, but I probably would’ve went with the precedent because that is something NASCAR has used time and time again.”
“The other thing too, if they were trying to send a message, I felt like the points would’ve really got there this time because Bubba and his teammate swapped cars, swapped numbers, to be able to take advantage of a situation where they are moving forward in the owner’s points.”
“Bubba was driving the 23, they switch over to the 45 car because the 45 car is in the owner’s points and if it does really well that means lots more money for that team. If you hit them with an owner’s points penalty, that would’ve absolutely got the message to team, driver, and everybody involved. Bubba would’ve felt the repercussions of that, felt the weight of that, and Bubba would’ve been able to continue to race this weekend.”
Fans react to Dale Jr’s thoughts on Bubba Wallace’s penalty
Fans were clearly outraged with the penalty handed to Wallace, they claimed that he got out easy in contrast to what he had done.
via Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 17: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #45 MoneyLion Toyota, looks on in the garage area after a mechanical issue during the NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17, 2022, in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Fans argued that if they were Denny Hamlin they would have made Wallace sit out of the Cup Series for the rest of the season, to give him time to think about his actions.
There comes a time when you have to create "new" precedents. Every penalty started somewhere, right?
— Family Man (@TeamKFBfan8) October 19, 2022
If I was @dennyhamlin I would make him set out the rest of the year. Denny has been talking all this safety and already has one driver hurt.
— Kathy jones (@nascarkathy) October 19, 2022
Personally think those kind of incidents should be suspensions, but when precedent says they aren't then that change needs to happen between seasons and be clearly communicated.
— Luke Rogers (@saiint) October 19, 2022
According to Jr, Bubba got off easy. I noticed on the DJD he said, commenting on the fishing tournament debacle, that he wants penalties to be really harsh. Looks like he wasn’t satisfied with just a 1 race suspension
— Racing RoundTable (@RacingRT1) October 19, 2022
I think it’s gonna hurt a lot come Sunday when somebody else is driving his car and he is sitting at home having to watch.
— Bryson Hunt (@BrysonHunt1995) October 19, 2022
Can’t give out penalties based off team situations. Nascar has to lay down the law or else its a free for all. Unfortunately I think bubba was used as an example.
— Dilly Dilly (@Thatglasskid_) October 20, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
They absolutely should have hit points, but a suspension was warranted, and frankly, his penalty feels like a slap on the wrist. No place for road rage w/ a deadly weapon. Let alone all of the other safety infractions he violated. His actions could have resulted in severe injury
— Tina 💋🔥🥃❤️ (@tmwtinatmw) October 19, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: “There Is No More Running in the Back..” – Michael Jordan’s Blunt Message That Caught Bubba Wallace Off Guard
The 23Xi Racing driver surely seems to have gotten off with a fairly easy but has now cemented himself as the most hated NASCAR driver on the grid currently.
