Tensions Rise as Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace Clash at Chicago Street Race
In a shocking turn of events, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman found himself at the center of a heated feud with Bubba Wallace during Sunday’s Chicago Street Race. The incident, which occurred on July 6, saw the two drivers engage in a intense battle for seventh place, resulting in Wallace spinning out of contention after repeatedly colliding with Bowman.
The clash between Bowman and Wallace was not an isolated incident, as the two drivers had a similar run-in during last year’s Chicago race. At the time, Bowman wrecked Wallace, who retaliated during the cool-down lap. This year’s incident seemed to reignite the feud, with Bowman ultimately finishing eighth and advancing to the next round, while Wallace finished five laps down in 28th.
"I thought we had squashed our beef, but clearly we have not," Bowman reflected on the incident, speaking to Frontstretch. "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 downplayed any intent to crash, claiming that Wallace "did it to himself." He also questioned Wallace’s tactics, given the latter’s clear tire disadvantage and lack of reason to be so aggressive. "I get the In-Season tournament means a lot, but at that point I’m just trying to finish the best I can," Bowman added.
The tension between the two drivers was palpable, with Bowman’s spotter, Kevin Hamlin, erupting over team radio during the clash. "Stay with it. We’re not playing nice with this motherf***er," Hamlin was heard saying, as shared by NASCAR reporter Steven Taranto on his X handle.
As the dust settles, Bowman is set to face off against Ty Dillon in Challenge Round 3 at the Sonoma Raceway. Despite the drama, Bowman’s top-10 result propelled him two spots up the driver’s standings, landing him at tenth with 480 points. His HMS teammates, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson, continue to dominate the top-three rankings, with Bowman remaining the only driver on his team yet to score a win this season.
The incident has left many wondering what the future holds for the feud between Bowman and Wallace. One thing is certain, however: the tension between these two drivers will be one to watch in the coming weeks. As the NASCAR season heats up, fans can expect more intense battles on the track, and perhaps a few more surprises along the way.
