Bubba Wallace NASCAR rivalry and controversy resurfaced after IndyCar champion Scott McLaughlin jokingly labeled Wallace as “slow” in a recent vlog collaboration, stirring emotions as NASCAR’s competitive battles take on fresh intensity. The tension comes at a time when Wallace, his team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and rivals like Alex Bowman are locked in high-stakes on-track disputes, most recently at the Chicago Street Race.
Scott McLaughlin’s Teasing Sparks a New Exchange
In a recent social media post, Bubba Wallace featured Team Penske’s IndyCar standout Scott McLaughlin, who didn’t hold back on banter, calling Wallace slow in front of fans. The vlog showed a lighter side to racing rivalries, but also highlighted the degree of scrutiny faced by NASCAR drivers in the public eye. McLaughlin’s jab was delivered succinctly:
“Water’s wet, Bubba is still slow”
—Scott McLaughlin, IndyCar Driver
Wallace acknowledged the online jest, captioning his repost with a sharp but humorous observation about the ongoing drama:
“Grown men losing their minds”
Wallace’s racing history includes landmark achievements for diversity. Competing full-time for 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, Wallace made history in 2021 as the first African-American driver to secure a NASCAR Cup Series win since Wendell Scott’s 1963 victory. His career foundation includes victories at storied venues such as Eldora Speedway and Martinsville Speedway in the Truck and Xfinity Series, as well as being named Rookie of the Year—a significant honor for African-American drivers in the sport.
Wallace’s NASCAR Achievements Set Context for Rivalries
Bubba Wallace’s emergence as a force in NASCAR began with historic wins at tracks like Martinsville Speedway in 2013, following in the footsteps of Wendell Scott’s barrier-breaking success. With additional triumphs at Eldora Speedway and a proven record in developmental series, Wallace formed a foundation of competitive resilience. These milestones led to a prominent spot in the NASCAR Cup Series, where Wallace drives the No. 23 Toyota and continues to set firsts for African-American athletes in motorsports.
Intense On-Track Clashes: Bowman’s View of the Chicago Showdown
During the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Chicago Street Race, rivalries intensified between Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman in a tense battle for seventh position. With critical points at stake in the NASCAR In-Season Challenge, the late-race battle reached a boiling point. Bowman, working with fresher tires, collided with Wallace on Lap 70, sending the No. 23 Toyota hard into the wall. Wallace dropped to twenty-eighth place, five laps off the pace, which eliminated him from the tournament. Bowman managed to finish in eighth, securing his spot in the next round.
Bowman later reflected on the sequence, revealing a persistent pattern of aggressive exchanges and escalating contact between the two. Describing the drawn-out duel, Bowman said:
“I thought we had squashed our beef, but clearly we have not. So, yeah, I don’t know. I followed the 45, passed him, he ran me in the inside wall on eight. Still felt like I passed him clean. Then he absolutely just demolished me into 12. I gave it back a little bit into one and then he demolished me again into two, ran me in the outside wall and I’m just a pinball between him and the outside wall at that point,” Bowman said (via Frontstretch).
—Alex Bowman, NASCAR Driver
The incident quickly caught NASCAR officials’ attention, prompting an inquiry into whether Bowman’s actions were intentional. However, early reviews indicated that Wallace’s defensive tactics played a significant role, downplaying suggestions that Bowman deliberately caused the collision.
What These Erupting Tensions Mean for NASCAR’s Upcoming Races
The renewed spotlight on the Bubba Wallace NASCAR rivalry and controversy exposes ongoing friction among drivers, adding layers to the sport’s growing competitive narrative. The public exchanges between Scott McLaughlin and Wallace underscore how personalities from other racing disciplines are fueling NASCAR’s drama. Meanwhile, on-track altercations like the Wallace-Bowman clash in Chicago draw fresh scrutiny, suggesting increased intensity as the season continues.
With stakes rising for the NASCAR Cup Series and its In-Season Challenge, fans and officials will be watching future races closely. The unfolding dynamics, shaped by personalities like Wallace, Bowman, Denny Hamlin, and Michael Jordan, ensure that the tension surrounding rivalries and controversial incidents will remain at the forefront of NASCAR’s unpredictable season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Bubba Wallace a dad?
A. Bubba Wallace welcomed his child last September and is really enjoying fatherhood.
