By the skin of his teeth, Bubba Wallace punched his ticket to the playoffs, thanks to Chris Buescher stealing the thunder from Kevin Harvick in a photo finish. Since that nail-biting final lap, Wallace has been on cloud nine, but it’s clear the pressure was getting to him, seeing as he clammed up and ducked out of pre-race interviews.

Kyle Petty, the titan of the NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series, didn’t beat around the bush regarding Wallace’s no-show for pre-race interviews. However, it appears the 23XI Racing wheelman has finally come out to clear the air and break his silence on the matter.

“I start to get really anxious,” declares Bubba Wallace ahead of the Darlington showdown

The weight of Daytona, the make-or-break race for Wallace, was as plain as day on his face leading up to the season’s grand finale. But the pot got stirred when Wallace chose to zip his lips before the race, a move that got Kyle Petty’s goat.

Never one to hold his tongue, Petty didn’t pull any punches on the matter, as he said, “I don’t know how these guys think that’s acceptable because that’s what you’re here for. That’s what they pay you the money for. That’s why you make the big bucks, dude. You got to handle it. Put it on your shoulders and carry it. If mentally he is that fragile, then maybe this is not the game for him, honestly.”

Petty hammered it home, suggesting that what’s good for the goose (talking to reporters after a win) is good for the gander (facing them after a loss).

In a tit-for-tat response before the Darlington race, Wallace quipped to Kyle Dalton, a pit reporter, “I am just here to fulfill my media obligations before the race. I got a word count, though. So, I start speaking too many words, I start to get really anxious and mentally fragile.”

Clearly, Wallace had his ducks in a row with that clap back to Petty. And while Petty’s critique had a kernel of truth, given the uncertainty around Wallace’s playoff spot, Wallace’s riposte was a clear “don’t tread on me” message.

Watch This Story: Bubba Wallace Hits Back at Media With a Blunt Message: Y’all Don’t Pay My Bills

Though some NASCAR aficionados nodded along with Petty’s sentiments, the lion’s share rallied behind Wallace, not mincing words when calling Petty out for his skepticism.

Fans come forward to support Bubba Wallace over Kyle Petty’s “mentally fragile” comment

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While a few dropped their two cents in favor of Petty, suggesting that Bubba Wallace might indeed have feet of clay with remarks like, “Kyle Petty isn’t wrong about this guy. His mentality is made of glass. I feel sorry for the people who surround this basket case,”

“He proved Kyle Petty’s point here. @BubbaWallace needs a therapist,” the tide seemed to turn in favor of Wallace for the most part.

Comments poured in, with many comparing Bubba Wallace with Kyle Busch, stating, “Sounds like Kyle may be renting some space in his head. But, he looks and acts 100% more relaxed this week.”

“Love this man.”

Read More: Bubba Wallace Reveals Kevin Harvick’s Beef Made Him Accept Kurt Busch

“Kyle Petty thinks he’s the voice of reason & thinks everything he says makes sense & everyone will agree with. Glad Bubba fired back. 👍”

“Kyle Petty is the most ridiculous analyst in this sport. Dude has horrible takes. And he wants to talk about being mentally fragile?!? He needs to look in the mirror. Dude only has a job cause of his name”

“i respect Bubba not wanting to keep on this situation for that long, as he says, it doesn’t matter, lol.”

The peanut gallery sure didn’t hold back on either racer, but Wallace’s decision to face the music by engaging with the media after succeeding in securing a birth in the playoffs does lend some weight to Petty’s points. Do let us know your thoughts about this banter in the comments below.