For the first time since Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Bubba Wallace has spoken on his involvement in a multi-car accident between himself and Kyle Larson.
Wallace was running inside the top 10 when a three-wide move by Kyle Larson caused both the No. 5 and No. 45 to slide up the track, with Wallace’s 23XI Racing machine contacting the outside wall.
The 29-year-old then came down the track and got into the right-rear quarter panel of Larson’s HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro at full speed, sending him spinning back across the track where he collected NASCAR Playoff driver Christopher Bell.
To make matters even more severe, Wallace then left the place in which his McDonald’s Toyota Camry came to rest, to walk across the front stretch and confront Larson, where he landed a couple of hefty shoves to the defending series champion.
Upon speaking to NBC Sports after the accident, Wallace cited a steering issue, that stemmed from the wall contact at the exit of turn four, causing his entry to swerve down the track and into Larson.
On Monday, Wallace posted a statement to social media that reads as follows:
“I want to apologize for my actions on Sunday following the on-track incident with Kyle Larson and the No. 5 car. My behavior does not align with the core values that are shared by 23XI Racing and our partners, who have played a crucial in my incredible journey to the top of this great sport. I want to apologize to NASCAR and the fans, along with Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Toyota for putting them in a situation in the Playoffs that they do not deserve.”
“I compete with immense passion, and with passion at times comes frustration. Upon reflecting, I should have represented our partners and core team values better than I did by letting my frustrations follow me outside of the car. You live and learn, and I intend to learn from this.”
As of Monday, NASCAR has yet to announce any penalties that will be assessed to Wallace or 23XI Racing, in light of the potential intentional nature of the accident, or his actions after the accident. Those updates, if there are any, will likely come either Tuesday or Wednesday.
