Aric Almirola shoves Bubba Wallace after argument during Charlotte Rain Delay
Tempers flared between Aric Almirola and Bubba Wallace during the red flag rain delay in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Monday.
The two engaged in an argument on pit road which led to Almirola shoving Wallace before NASCAR officials intervened.
The two made contact with each other just prior to rain bringing out the red flag in Stage 2. Contact occurred after Wallace cut in front of Almirola in a multi-car battle. Almirola responded by running Wallace up the track before making contact with the No. 23 Chevrolet.
Daniel McFadin of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette provided further context of a past incident that Wallace declined to go into detail on during the 2023 pre-season media tour.
“No idea what this is about,” McFadin wrote on Twitter. “But, back at (I believe) the pre-season media tour the year after Bubba Wallace subbed for Almirola in the 43, Wallace mentioned a text message Aric sent him at the time that was less than friendly. He didn’t go into details.”
Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), Almirola’s race team, chimed in on Twitter after the shoving incident.
“It takes A LOT to make Aric that mad…,” SHR tweeted.
Aric Almirola, Bubba Wallace heading in opposite directions
Almirola, 39, currently sits 26th in the points standings, having notched just one top-10 in 13 starts. He previously set out to retire after the 2022 season, before his sponsor, Smithfield, encouraged him to return for 2023.
“They’ve been a part of my life for 11 years and really my entire NASCAR Cup Series career,” Almirola said, via Racer. “They’re family to me. And, of course, it’s always nice to be wanted. Smithfield wanted me to continue representing them. Stewart-Haas Racing wanted me to continue driving their race cars. Everything just aligned, and it’s something we all embraced.
“The original decision to step away from full-time racing at the end of the season was a family one and so is this decision. Janice, Alex, and Abby are just as excited as I am to continue racing the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang.”
Wallace, 29, is coming off a P2 finish in this past Sunday’s All-Star Race at the revived North Wilkesboro Speedway. He finished as the runner-up to Kyle Larson, who led 145-of-200 laps and pocketed the $1 million prize.
After an up-and-down start to his 2023 campaign, Wallace notched top 5s at Kansas and Darlington heading into the All-Star Race.