Charlotte, NC — Another NASCAR race, another round of conspiracy theories. This time, Bubba Wallace finds himself in the crosshairs of armchair analysts who insist he intentionally wrecked Kyle Larson — again.
Social media lit up after the on-track incident, with the usual suspects accusing Wallace of being “reckless,” “immature,” or “out for revenge.” But here’s the thing: the footage, the data, and even basic logic say otherwise.
Let’s break it down.
1. The In-Car Camera Tells the Story
Reviewing Wallace’s in-car camera, it’s clear he was fighting a loose race car. Coming out of the turn, the No. 23 car got tight in dirty air — a common condition in modern NASCAR. You can hear Bubba lifting and correcting, trying to keep control. No sudden jerk toward Larson, no “intentional” turn of the wheel — just classic aero-push in traffic.
If this is what intentional looks like, then 90% of the field is guilty every Sunday.
2. Telemetry Doesn’t Lie
Insiders with access to telemetry confirmed that Wallace lifted in the corner and made steering corrections consistent with a driver trying to avoid contact, not cause it.
If you’re trying to wreck someone, you don’t lift. You stay in it and use them as your brake pedal. That’s not what happened here.
3. No History of Retaliation With Larson
Let’s not forget — Bubba and Larson have already had their big blow-up. That was two seasons ago, it was addressed, and both drivers have moved on like professionals. Since then, they’ve raced clean, shared mutual respect, and even joked about the past.
This wasn’t Round 2. This was just racing.
4. Occam’s Razor Applies to NASCAR, Too
Which is more likely? That a professional driver with millions in sponsorship and team credibility on the line decided to kamikaze his car in the middle of a green-flag run to “get back” at a guy he has no current beef with?
Or that, like literally every week, someone got tight in traffic and made contact?
Exactly.
The Bottom Line
Bubba Wallace is no stranger to controversy — but he’s also no stranger to being unfairly targeted by critics looking for a scapegoat. Every time there’s contact, some fans are ready to call it intentional before the dust even settles.
This incident was a racing deal, plain and simple. The data backs it, the footage supports it, and even common sense agrees.
So let’s cool it with the “he wrecked Larson on purpose” takes. The proof says otherwise.
