Alex Bowman apologizes to Bubba Wallace after Chicago win: 'Ruined their day'

After 80 races without a win, Alex Bowman gets it done in the Chicago Street Race. He won the race on wet weather tires no less. However, the NASCAR driver had an apology to make after crossing the finish line.

During his victory interview, Alex Bowman offered up an olive branch to Bubba Wallace the the No. 23 team. Bowman turned Wallace around in Stage 2 and more or less put an end to their day, at least being competitive.

With how major this win is for Bowman and his team, it’s a good look on him to apologize first and foremost. Then again, Bubba got a little revenge on the cool-down lap.

“Man, I don’t know, any time you got to the race track with Hendrick Motorsports you got a shot,” Bowman said. “First off, like we talked earlier, I have to apologize again to the 23 guys. Just messed up, and trying to get my windshield wiper on, missed a corner and ruined their day. So, I hate that I’m embarrassed about it but we have a trophy to take home and I know it means a lot to this team. They put me in position to win the race.”

Then Alex Bowman talked about what the win means for him. He has big party plans in store for tonight.

“Man, I broke my back. I had a brain injury, and we’ve kinda sucked ever since. I didn’t, you start to second guess if you’re going to get a chance to win a race again. Last one we won we didn’t really get to celebrate… We’re going to drink so much damn bourbon tonight. It’s going to be a bad deal. I’m probably going to wake up naked on the bathroom floor again, but that’s just part of this deal sometimes.

“Thanks to Ally and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports. Everybody that makes this deal go round. Mr. H and Jeff [Gordon]. Shoutout to Chloe at home, she’s at home with the pups. This is like the only race she’s missed all year, so, I’m sure she’s pissed off at me for that one. But she’s sitting at home with Huck. Yeah, excited to get home it’s going to be a good night.”

There's going to be a party tonight in Chicago, folks. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/cgE55bRpqS

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 8, 2024

Alex Bowman won this race on bold strategy. Wet weather tires held up in the end. Tyler Reddick made a convincing charge on slick tires. However, Reddick was unable to catch Bowman in the end. A mistake on the last lap sealed the fate of the 45 and 48 cars.

It stinks for Bubba Wallace and his team. They had a top-10 car to start this race. It probably stings more because Bowman was the next closest driver to Wallace in points in the playoff battle. Now the 23 car is in must-win territory to make the postseason.