Alex Bowman doesn't want NASCAR to penalize Bubba Wallace for Chicago incident: 'It was plenty deserved'

Tempers flared after the Grant Park 165 in Chicago on Sunday when Bubba Wallace intentionally slammed into winner Alex Bowman during a cool-down lap, but Bowman was apologetic after the incident.

In fact, he’s even advocating that NASCAR not punish Wallace for dooring him.

According to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Bowman was firm on that point late Sunday evening, not wanting Wallace to face disciplinary measures for the post-race actions.

“He barely hit me, everything was fine and it was plenty deserved,” Bowman said.

The winning driver also explained that he had already taken some steps to try to smooth things over with Bubba Wallace after earlier spinning him out in during Stage 1. That was what Wallace was almost certainly heated about after the race.

“I’d be mad, too. I ruined his day,” Bowman said. “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.”

As for his advocacy, Bowman will have to wait to see if NASCAR takes heed. Bubba Wallace will also be waiting, likely on pins and needles.

He’s in the thick of the playoff hunt as one of the drivers who has yet to secure a win this season. He entered Sunday at Chicago trailing Bowman by just 51 points, with Bowman inside the playoff cut line and Wallace just outside.

NASCAR can strip driver points from racers for conduct issues. In fact it did so just last week, when Carson Hocevar was docked 25 driver points and fined $50,000 for violating the member code of conduct.

That incident was a little different in that Hocevar intentionally bumped Harrison Burton while under caution, rather than after the race. Still, it’s worth considering when weighing whether NASCAR might penalize Bubba Wallace or listen to Bowman’s plea.

NASCAR typically hands down post-race penalties on Tuesday evenings, and the organization has already confirmed it will be reviewing the Wallace-Bowman collision for a possible penalty.