Denny Hamlin explains how NASCAR penalty process works in reference to Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace could soon be in line for a punishment from NASCAR for dooring Alex Bowman during the cool-down lap following the conclusion to Sunday’s Grant Park 165 Chicago Street Race.

That, of course, will come down to whether NASCAR feels what Wallace did was egregious enough to warrant a fine and/or loss of driver points. Speaking on Monday’s “Actions Detrimental” podcast, 23XI Racing co-owner Denny Hamlin explained how the penalty process works. Hamlin said that NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer will likely have a separate conversation with both Wallace and Bowman this week and make a decision based on the information he gathers.

“I think that it starts with a conversation more than likely,” Hamlin said. “More than likely Elton Sawyer in this instance will reach out to Bubba and have a conversation with him, have a conversation with Alex. That’s typically how they say they want to do it. They didn’t necessarily do that in mine and Ross’s case at Phoenix. They kind of just took our word for it here on the podcast, but they said typically what they want to do is there’s an incident involving two drivers, retaliation or what have you. They’ll reach out to both parties to get the facts, and then they’ll make a decision from there. If they view this egregious, that’s what they would do. And that’s a big if.”

Bubba Wallace facing punishment for dooring Alex Bowman in Chicago Street Race?

The incident occurred moments after Bowman took the checkered flag. Wallace was still upset after Bowman spun him out in Stage 1 and decided to enact his revenge on the Hendrick Motorsports driver. Wallace, who entered Sunday’s race just below Bowman on the playoff cutline, finished P13.

Bowman himself didn’t see any problem with Wallace’s retaliation, saying it was “plenty deserved.” Bowman doesn’t believe Wallace deserves any punishment from NASCAR.

“He barely hit me, everything was fine, and it was plenty deserved,” Bowman said ‘… I’d be mad, too. I ruined his day. I just messed up. I’ve been embarrassed about it since it happened. I tried to call him during the rain delay, and I shot him a text.”