Bubba Wallace “kept on with more — than anyone deserved,” said Dale Jr
Bubba Wallace managed to earn two top-5 finishes over the weekend in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and in the Cup Series All-Star Race as he struggled through taunts and hacking of his radio communications. Wallace brushes it off as he focuses on the NASCAR playoffs.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. talks about the treatment Wallace received on the racetrack. Earnhardt spoke about what he saw at Darlington Raceway the week before the All-Star event in North Wilkesboro.
“I was at Darlington a few weeks ago. We are on this stage, and 75 of the greatest riders are all lined up. Beyond me, these are the greatest riders who have been involved in the sport. All distinguished, of all ages, everyone there to got this great experience. And the drivers were introduced and walked by us, shaking our hands one by one. And this is the moment that everybody, you would think that this would be the moment where you would behave,” he explained on “The Dale Jr Download.”
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Dr Pepper Toyota, and Ty Dillon, driver of the #77 Honest Charley Speed Shop Chevrolet, battle for positions during the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on May 14, 2023 in Darlington, South Carolina. (David Jensen/Getty Images)
“And there was one guy on the fence, the fans fence right down the front, there was one guy on the fence. Everybody was mostly just cheering. There was a couple, you know they gave some people a hard time, Denny (Hamlin) and all that. A handful of taunts. Nothing crazy.
“But Bubba was introduced and walked across the stage and there was this guy right in front of me and Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth and everybody there, screaming at the top of his lungs, ‘Home! Home! Home!’ over and over, as loud as he could.
“And it was so annoying. I really wanted to jump in there and be like, ‘Hey, can you stop? Is this what you really want to do right now? Is this what you want to do right now in front of everyone?” these amazing people you deal with? Richard Petty and all these legends, you’re going to act like this?’
BUBBA WALLACE CAME UP TO TURN OFF THE CAMERA; NASCAR EXPECTED TO INVESTIGATE HACK HAPPENED TO RADIO DRIVER
Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the Chevrolet Sun Drop #3, stands on the grid during qualifying for the CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Window World 125 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 17, 2023 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
“And I thought man, that was a day in Bubba’s life. And I thought, I know there are people out there who hate Kyle Busch and hate other drivers, and they might say some bad things. But it just makes me so upset.”
When he alluded to Wallace’s alleged radio incident, Earnhardt said the No. 1 driver. 23 is too many mistakes.
“I’ll tell you guys, Bubba Wallace is hanging on with more — than anyone deserves,” he added.
Overall, Wallace had a good season with 23XI Racing.
Wallace is 15th in points and is projected to make the playoffs if he keeps his pace up. A win would definitely help his chances. The Coke 600 is this weekend and Wallace finished 14th at Charlotte last season.
Bubba Wallace, #1 TRICON Garage Pristine Auction Toyota, looks before the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Tyson 250 race Saturday afternoon on May 20, 2023 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He has three top fives this season and four top 10s.