Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals hidden NASCAR tension between Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman, indicating unresolved dynamics before their dramatic on-track clash at the Grant Park 165 in Chicago on Sunday. According to Earnhardt Jr., signs of strain were evident in their interactions before the incident, despite outward displays of friendliness.
Pre-Race Signs Pointed to Unresolved Issues
During the latest episode of his ‘Dirty Air’ podcast, Dale Earnhardt Jr. discussed how the mood between Wallace and Bowman before the race was more strained than it initially appeared. While a pre-race interview featured both drivers seeming playful, Earnhardt Jr. pointed out that Marty Snider, who was at the scene, sensed lingering issues between the pair.
“I could only hear that interview pre-race, and it sounded friendly,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
“But Marty (Snider), who was there, said it was not rude or anything, but he said there was still some underlying unsettled differences because we were listening in our headsets, as we’re getting ready for our, you know, whatever we’re going to do in the pre-race, and it sounded great. They all were like, ‘Oh, they’re just being goofy,’ but Marty said he could feel some tension.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
The two drivers, having a recent history of on-track confrontations, had referenced their Chicago run-in last year, but the atmosphere in the pre-race moments suggested deeper friction.
Contact and Consequences in Chicago
The tension erupted late in the Grant Park 165 NASCAR Cup Series race as Wallace and Bowman squared off for seventh position. Multiple bouts of close driving escalated until Lap 70, when Bowman, possessing fresher tires and the urgency of advancing as the No. 8 seed in NASCAR’s In-Season Tournament, tapped Wallace’s car exiting Turn 2. The impact caused Wallace to spin down DuSable Lake Shore Drive, resulting in major damage and a 28th-place finish for Wallace due to a broken toe link on his No. 23 Toyota. Bowman, meanwhile, drove on to secure the eighth spot.
This altercation was the latest in a series of on-track encounters between Wallace and Bowman in Chicago. The previous year, Wallace had been spun by Bowman, later retaliating on the cooldown lap, an action that led to a NASCAR fine. Although both drivers attempted to address their prior scuffle lightheartedly during their TNT pre-race appearance this year, unresolved matters re-emerged during the race.
Battle Intensifies Before Final Collision
On the podcast, co-host TJ Majors questioned whether the friction began immediately before the crash. Dale Earnhardt Jr. responded by recounting the tussle between the drivers as having started earlier on the lap, saying:
“No, they were beating on each other, I think through turns seven, eight, nine. And so, yeah, it’d been back and forth for almost a full lap and then ended in turn two.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Hall of Famer
The persistent contact through the lap highlighted just how intense the rivalry had become, with each driver unwilling to concede position as the laps wound down in Chicago.
Post-Race Reconciliation and Playoff Implications
Following the race, Wallace and Bowman briefly spoke in the garage area walkway, in view of fans. The conversation reportedly eased the situation, with Bowman sharing that Wallace took responsibility for the incident and did not accuse Bowman of causing the spin.
Both racers remain focused on playoff qualification. After the Chicago event, Bowman held a 39-point cushion above the cutline, while Wallace’s disappointing finish reduced his buffer to just two points. With the postseason approaching, every point now carries added significance for both drivers.
As NASCAR’s tight playoff race intensifies, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reveals hidden NASCAR tension may impact future contests, especially for high-profile drivers like Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman, whose personal history and competitive ambitions continue to intersect on and off the track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. a billionaire?
A. In 2025, Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s wealth is estimated at $300 million. His fortune comes from his successful NASCAR career and current broadcasting role. He’s also involved in endorsements, owning a team, and various partnerships, enhancing his impact.
Q. Will Dale Earnhardt Jr. race in 2025?
A. On Thursday, it was revealed that his Late Model schedule for 2025 now includes a race featuring a refreshed Sun Drop-themed car. Earnhardt, Jr. will drive the No. 8 JR Motorsports car at Tri-County Speedway. The zMAX CARS Tour event is set to happen in Granite Falls, North Carolina, on October 4.
Q. Did Dale Earnhardt Jr. retire?
A. After he stopped racing full-time in NASCAR, he started working as a color commentator for NASCAR on NBC in 2018. His NBC contract ended after the 2023 season, and he then joined Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports for new NASCAR coverage starting in 2025.
Q. Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. still retired?
A. Earnhardt, who is 50 years old, stopped racing full-time in NASCAR in 2017. However, he continues to compete at least once annually in the Xfinity Series.
