AVONDALE, Ariz. – NASCAR officials have issued a behavioral penalty to Richard Petty Motorsports driver Bubba Wallace for an incident last weekend at Texas Motor Speedway.
Wallace has been fined $50,000 and docked 50 driver points for intentionally spinning to bring out a caution flag on lap 243 in the midst of green flag pit stops during the AAA Texas 500.
The caution adversely affected championship contender Kyle Larson and several other drivers, with Larson expressing his displeasure with the situation multiple times in the aftermath of the AAA Texas 500.
“What really killed our race was the No. 43 (Bubba Wallace) spinning on purpose,” Larson said shortly after the AAA Texas 500. “They put us a lap down. I think we were up to fourth at that point. It really killed us and a few others. You hate to see that and be affected by it, but it is what it is. There’s nothing you can do about it now.”
In comments to NBC Sports reporter Dustin Long Friday at ISM Raceway in Avondale, Ariz., Wallace said he wasn’t worried about any potential penalties resulting from his spin.
“Until they do anything, no. I’m not the only one to do it. I’m racing for myself. Not for (Kyle) Larson, not for Chevrolet,” Wallace said.
#NASCAR … Here is what @BubbaWallace said about his spin last weekend at @TXMotorSpeedway pic.twitter.com/8wkyaf4NC6
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) November 9, 2019
Richard Petty Motorsports issued a statement Saturday indicating the team would not appeal the penalty.
“Our team met with NASCAR officials this morning to discuss Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr.’s post-practice comments on Friday, Nov. 8, concerning an on-track incident which occurred at the Texas Motor Speedway,” Philippe Lopez, Richard Petty Motorsports director of competition, said. “We fully understand NASCAR’s position and expectations of its competitors. NASCAR has a difficult job officiating race events and we do not need to make the task more challenging. Wallace will not appeal the penalty, and will direct his immediate focus to this weekend’s event at the ISM Raceway.”