Bubba Wallace reacts to historic NASCAR punishment of Austin Dillon

Bubba Wallace has first-hand experience when it comes to being penalized by NASCAR for intentionally wrecking a fellow driver.

NASCAR suspended Wallace for one race back in 2022 after he right rear hooked Kyle Larson in retaliation at Las Vegas. Though Austin Dillon didn’t suffer quite the same fate as Wallace following last Sunday’s race at Richmond, in which he intentionally wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap to take the checkered flag, he did get hit with a significant penalty. The sanctioning body revoked his playoff eligibility and docked him 25 points.

Wallace addressed Dillon’s punishment Saturday, saying the penalty is somewhat similar to the one he received when you factor everything in.

Bubba Wallace was suspended in 2022 for a hooking Kyle Larson in retaliation at Las Vegas. He said with the points and money lost for Austin Dillon for not being allowed to use Richmond win for a playoff berth, the penalty is somewhat similar without a suspension to Dillon. pic.twitter.com/oYQKPCqJxt

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 18, 2024

“Myself and Chase [Elliott] were middle of the race, so this one was different in the same category as retaliation,” Wallace said, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “So, I think not being a playoff eligible win when we go through the points and the money stuff, it somewhat nets out the same — kind of.”

Dillon and Richard Childress Racing are appealing the penalty, which will be heard this coming Wednesday. Dillon is optimistic about his chances.

“I am. I feel pretty good about it,” Dillon said Saturday. “You know I think Denny Hamlin has a podcast about the appeal process. He lays it out pretty well in how the appeal usually works, and I think that is why he was very forthcoming early in the week on his opinion of everything because the appeals process isn’t easy. But we will do a good job on our side to try and cover all of our bases and see what the outcome really is.”

Bubba Wallace slams Austin Dillon after controversial Richmond win

Wallace was among his critics after the race, calling Dillon’s race-winning moves “BS.”

“Whatever it takes to win, I guess,” Wallace said. “We’re in, but I mean, hey, he deserved it fair and square. That’s the hard thing. I was ready to man up, go shake his hand, congrats. Can’t do that now. That was kind of BS. It is what it is. We’ve got to worry about our own races for the next three weeks.

“Proud of this team for fighting and executing all day. Wasn’t our best day, for sure, but all in all, we ended up on the good side. Shows how tough the Cup Series is. Ross [Chastain] finished right on my bumper, so it’s going to be a dog fight.”