Bubba Wallace has been suspended for the next NASCAR Cup Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, NASCAR announced Oct. 18.
23XI Racing has announced John Hunter Nemechek will fill in for him in the No. 45.
Wallace was involved in an incident with Kyle Larson at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday. Larson ran Wallace high off of a turn and Wallace hit the wall. As the pair came down across the racetrack, Wallace tagged Larson’s right rear, sending him spinning and into Christopher Bell, knocking all three cars out of the race.
Wallace apologized for his actions Monday.
Reflection. pic.twitter.com/ZpamWzjZJR
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) October 17, 2022
Per the penalty report, Wallace violated Sections 4.3.A and 4.4.C and E of the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct. Section 4.4.C refers to a number of actions, including “intentionally wrecking or spinning another vehicle, whether or not that vehicle is removed from Competition as a result.”
“Our actions are specific to what happened on the race track…” NASCAR’s Steve O’Donnell said about the suspension. “It was an intentional act that put other competitors at risk … It was over the line.”
💭 "When we look at this incident, you're not only endangering one, but there's a lot of cars out there at speed…"
🗣️ #NASCAR COO Steve O'Donnell joined #SXMSpeedway and explained the one race suspension handed down to Bubba Wallace following his actions @LVMotorSpeedway. pic.twitter.com/hnCFfDIrIj
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) October 18, 2022
“23XI is aligned with NASCAR on the one-race suspension issued to Bubba and we understand the need for the series to take a clear stand on the incidents that took place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway,” 23XI said in a statement. “Bubba’s actions are not in keeping with the values of our team and partners. We have spoken to Bubba and expressed our disapproval of how he handled the situation. Bubba has made impressive strides this season and this experiences is an opportunity for him to further learn and grow as a competitor in NASCAR.”
Additionally, Kyle Busch’s No. 18 team was penalized after a wheel came off during a caution after Busch left pit road. Crew chief Ben Beshore and crew members Derrell Edwards and Michael Hicks are suspended for the next four races, through the Clash at the L.A. Coliseum.
Also, Ty Gibbs’ NASCAR Xfinity Series crew chief Chris Gayle was fined $5,000 for a loose lug nut. Jeremy Clements’ crew chief Mark Setzer will also miss Homestead due to a violation of Section 14.4.B.E. The Flange Fit Composite Body must be used as supplied from the manufacturer without modification. He was also fined $25,000 and the team loses 40 driver and owner points.
Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She's currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.