Bubba Wallace Publically Defied Michael Jordan’s NASCAR Team’s Orders After Bitter Kyle Larson Feud Sparked at Bristol

Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace,’s dream Cup Series adventure continues as the 29-year-old makes the playoffs by the skin of his teeth. Despite losing his battle with his bitter HMS rival last week at Kansas, Wallace returns the favor as sparks fly between the former rivals in Bristol.

2023 so far has been an emotional rollercoaster for the #23 driver. From being disheartened and dejected at the start of the silly season to making the Cup Series playoffs for the very first time in his career, Wallace’s run has many episodes to it.

As the action zoomed past the short track package at the Bristol Motor Speedway, the community witnessed tensions flaring between Wallace and his rival Kyle Larson as Wallace defied his team’s orders, taking them back to 2021 when the two got into a physical altercation.

Tensions flare again as Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s driver defy his team’s orders

After getting decked with a stiff suspension from the organization back in 2021, tensions reached a new high between Bubba Wallace and his HMS rival in the past race at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The scene was critical as the playoff action reached its final conclusion in the elimination race at the half-mile track.

While Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Denny Hamlin conquered the 500-lap race with fellow veterans of the sport like Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano getting eliminated, his 23XI Racing driver, Bubba Wallace, got into another tussle with Larson. The #5 HMS driver was trying to catch the #11 JGR Toyota when he gave Wallace a bumper.

Though the #23 driver kissed the wall, he quickly recovered and got back to business with an explicit radio message that read, “AINT NO BODY F**KING WITH ME! LET ME RUN MY GODDAMN RACE!” Fronstretch Media’s Bryan Nolen probably was the first to note down Wallace’s message after the contact as he tweeted it out on his social media.

Another NASCAR enthusiast also mentioned the brief contact between the bitter rivals. While the incident certainly caught the attention of fans, Wallace did not let his emotions get the best of him, as they did back in 2021 when he confronted Larson after a series of back-and-forths to shove the HMS driver on the track.

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Bubba Wallace gives his take after the brief Bristol “tussle” with Larson

While the scene was grim for Michael McDowell, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., “Happy” Harvick, and Joey Logano after they got eliminated from the first round, Bubba Wallace advanced into the next round, barely making the cutline. The driver expressed his genuine emotions after getting mentally “drained” by the overwhelming pressure to make the next round.

Though Wallace finished 14th in the race, the driver managed to make up the points to narrowly edge his way into the playoff 12. The driver then quoted tennis star Coco Gauff in his post-race interview as he relayed his emotions. “God, I love that sh** right there, counted us out like Coco Gauff said, all they’re doing is adding fuel to the fire, I love it.”  said the driver.

Reflecting on Bubba Wallace and Larson’s tussle, he said, “Yeah, I’m running my own race and I don’t know, I’m pretty sure he thought he can go catch the #11(Denny Hamlin), that’s a tall task but what I had on the line though was more important and what he had on the line he thought was more important. It’s Bristol, it’s racing, all good, we’ll go on to Texas and have some fun.”

Bubba Wallace’s proud boss, Michael Jordan, also celebrated his driver’s advance. With both of its drivers making it into the next stage and his business partner taking home the victory, Jordan certainly has his day lit up.

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