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Is Kenny Wallace right about Truex Jr. being a threat to Jordan's NASCAR dreams?

The FireKeepers Casino 400 ended with a Tyler Reddick win. As the Cup Series approaches the end of its regular season this year, NASCAR usually resolves many issues that have come up during the season. This year, however, it’s different. Fresh controversies are coming up while NASCAR appears to be looking the other way. Fans, analysts, and even former racing legends feel the difference this year.

The racing community was on its toes the whole week after what happened at Richmond Raceway. After that, people wanted a proper race with little hue and cry around it. But the race at Michigan International Raceway proved to be the opposite. Initially, the rain delayed the action for a day. When the race resumed, it was hardly free from the shackles of controversy.

Interestingly, people have now started discussing the crux of the matter. A former NASCAR legend and insider is at the center of talking about what’s effectively wrong with NASCAR this year.

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Kenny Wallace talks about Tyler Reddick’s win and NASCAR’s caution issue

The race at Michigan International Speedway saw several low-affected wrecking incidents. In that regard, it was similar to the Richmond Raceway. The only difference, however, was that Michigan International Speedway lacked an Austin Dillon moment of its own. Throughout the race, a series of cautions significantly affected the pace and intensity of the race. The most significant caution was when Martin Truex Jr hit the outer wall, which pushed the race into overtime.

Before the caution, Tyler Reddick was all over the race, putting up an impressive display and leading several laps. The 23XI racing driver had to exert extra effort after the caution. The 28-year-old, however, was successful in getting an important win. Talking about his emphatic victory, former NASCAR racer Kenny Wallace emerged on the scene with some interesting talking points. The NASCAR legend had this to say, “Tyler Reddick wins the race. He deserved the win. He was the fastest car, so no doubt Tyler Reddick is the winner.”

Interestingly, Kenny talked about a strange connection present in 23XI Racing. Talking about Michael Jordan’s presence and Tyler Reddick’s win, the former ace racer said, “So Michael Jordan owns Tyler Reddick’s race car and had McDonald’s on it. It looked good showed up good today, but Tyler Reddick wins at Talladega about three months ago with Michael Jordan there, right? Michael Jordan was at the race at Talladega, well Michael Jordan was at the race yesterday on Sunday, but it rains out, so he goes home. Michael, he might have had something to do today so we can’t rough him up too bad. Michael Jordan might have had something to do on this Monday. He goes home, and his car wins today.”

What’s your perspective on:

Is Kenny Wallace right about Truex Jr. being a threat to Jordan's NASCAR dreams?

Have an interesting take?

A lucky coincidence, right? Well, certainly it appears so for 23XI Racing. Bubba Wallace needs some of that Jordan luck too! Moving ahead in his discussion, Kenny Wallace talked about the incidents NASCAR is flagging cautions on. He further adds this on the issue, “Is NASCAR guilty of throwing the caution flag too quick? Yes, yes, they are. I think yes, I think NASCAR gets a little caution flag happy because there’s an old saying there’s nothing better in a NASCAR race than a caution flag to wall them all up for them to try to wreck again.”

Looks like Wallace sees the entertainment value behind bringing about the racers after a caution, restarting, and creating a high-risk wrecking situation. But NASCAR isn’t the only one to blame according to Wallace. The NASCAR legend equally blames the spotters for such a decision. Wallace further added, “NASCAR employs these spotters. Their job is to go ‘breaker one nine I see debris on the racetrack’ that’s my mouse, by the way. So, these spotters’ job is to say okay you know Martin Truex hits the wall there’s debris and that debris could be dangerous could flatten other people’s tires. I think they do throw caution flag a little fast. I think where there could have been debris is in no-man’s-land, anyway. It’s up there 3 feet from the wall.”

Certainly, some interesting words from someone who has a love of the sport instilled in him throughout. However, cautions do have a history of creating a situation in which wrecking becomes more likely.

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Cautions=Wrecking?

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Apart from the usual rhythm break, cautions tend to have a significant impact on the outcome of the race. More often, however, that impact has more desperation seeped in for the drivers. This is the biggest reason behind wrecking in NASCAR races. The entire racing community saw Austin Dillon’s deeds at the Richmond Raceway. However, there are similar examples of wrecking incidents in the past.

USA Today via Reuters

Everyone remembers how Denny Hamlin tried to derail Kyle Larson at the Pocono Raceway last year. With 7 laps to go, Hamlin slammed the door of the Hendrick Motorsports racer who was trying to get ahead of him. Larson, however, retaliated with a door slam of his own. But this time, the contact was right in the middle of a caution. Something similar also happened this year at the Nashville Superspeedway. Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports wrecked Harrison Burton during a caution. The incident proved detrimental for the young racer as NASCAR imposed a fine of $50,000 and 25 race points on Hocevar.

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What are your thoughts on Kenny Wallace’s comments? Do you think caution promotes wrecking-like situations in races? Do tell us in the comments.

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