Las Vegas Throwback: Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson tangle in 2022

Heading back to Las Vegas for the Round of 8, it is hard not to think about the dramatic exchange between Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson. Just a year ago, the two NASCAR drivers got into a fiery exchange after Wallace felt wronged on the track by Larson.

It happened so quickly. Kyle Larson was putting pressure on Bubba Wallace to make a pass. The 23 did not lift and got pushed up and into the wall coming out of a turn. Coming off the wall, Wallace then right-rear hooked Larson and went him spinning.

Both cars were damaged and drivers out of the race. However, it didn’t stop there. Wallace got out of his car, stormed over to Larson and shoved him into his own car, bouncing off of it. It didn’t come to further blows, but it did result in a one-race suspension for the 23XI Racing driver.

Right-rear hooking drivers on any track at any level is uncalled for. One thing if it happens due to an accident, but purposefully, you’re asking for people to get hurt. Thankfully, no one did in this situation.

Let’s not forget, Christopher Bell was damaged in this wreck and it put him in a must-win situation at Martinsville when Ross Chastain hit the Hail Melon. Both drivers advanced to the Championship 4.

Kyle Larson was trying to pass Bubba Wallace for fifth-place. Wallace kept coming down the track and spun Larson out. It was a really dangerous move that just can’t be excused. Had Larson not hit Bell, it would have been a huge hit into the wall.

This was just pure frustration. Wallace felt he had a car that was capable of winning or at the least getting a top-5 finish.

Bubba Wallace eliminated after Round of 12

This was a low moment for Wallace, no doubt. Joey Logano would go on to win that Las Vegas race and lock himself into the Championship 4. He would then go on to win at Phoenix and claim the NASCAR Championship for himself, the second time in his career.

This season, Bubba Wallace was part of the championship battle. After the Round of 12, he finds himself out of the playoffs and now hoping to play the role of spoiler if at all possible. After an underwhelming performance at Talladega, he just didn’t have enough at the Roval to make the transfer.

So, it’s onto the South Point 400 in Las Vegas. He could have a really good race at this track. It feels like he could win on these intermediate tracks at any point. However, it wont be easy. As the NASCAR Playoffs heat up into the Round of 8 it just gets more difficult.

Spoiler winners don’t have a lot of luck this late. This is when the best of the best do what they do. Pulling out all of the stops.

Good news for Bubba Wallace, he had a career-best season this year. Heading into the South Point 400 on Sunday, he has a chance to add to that. Even if he’s out of the playoffs.