Bubba Wallace won't be suspended for pit road middle finger at North Wilkesboro
Bubba Wallace won’t face any penalties for giving the camera the middle finger during NASCAR‘s Sunday trip to North Wilkesboro. The incident occurred during a post-race interview.
FOX’s Bob Pockrass reported on NASCAR’s ruling on Monday.
“Bubba Wallace won’t be penalized for flipping the bird on pit road after the race,” Pockrass reported. “It is NASCAR’s understanding he was gesturing to a friend and while inappropriate, it wasn’t done malicious.”
Wallace flashed the middle finger while on camera after Sunday’s race. The incident was a bit odd, considering the driver didn’t seem to have an axe to grind with anyone on the track.
So, while NASCAR doesn’t necessarily approve of Wallace’s actions on Sunday, he’s not going to face any penalties.
Wallace and other drivers were in North Wilkesboro over the weekend for the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday night. Wallace finished the night in second place behind Kyle Larson.
At the midway point of the 2023 NASCAR season, Wallace sits at No. 15 in the Cup Series standings. He’s placed in the top-10 four times with three of those placements inside the top-five. He’s not claimed a checkered flag yet.
Next week, Wallace and the NASCAR Cup Series heads to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600.
Bubba Wallace hears the boos from NASCAR fans
The boos at Sunday’s All-Star Race from North Wilkesboro didn’t faze Wallace. Instead, he leaned into the hate during his pre-race introduction.
Wallace responded with a little “crybaby” gesture while walking out. He’s truly embraced the villain role in NASCAR.
Wallace is no stranger to the boos. They rain down frequently on the driver, so why fight it? It’s way more fun to lean into this kind of thing, right?
And if fans took issue with Wallace heading into Sunday’s All-Star Race, imagine what they thought during his interview when he flipped off the camera. Even though there was no ill will behind the action, we’re sure someone will take exception to it.
Someone always does.
The jeers from the North Wilkesboro crowd certainly didn’t hurt Wallace’s driving on Sunday. Although he didn’t walk away with the million-dollar reward like Larson, Wallace still finished in second during the All-Star Race.
After the race, reporters also asked Wallace for his take on the atmosphere at North Wilkesboro.
“Lovely,” Wallace said with a smile. “Loved it. Can’t wait to come back!”