NASCAR Rivalry Reignites: Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace Clash in Chicago Street Race

The streets of Chicago turned into a battleground during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025, as old rivals Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace reignited their fiery feud. In a race filled with high stakes and raw emotion, the two drivers clashed in a dramatic showdown that left fans buzzing and the NASCAR community dissecting every moment. What seemed like a squashed rivalry proved anything but, as Bowman’s post-race comments revealed a lingering tension that could shape the rest of the season.

The incident unfolded in the closing laps of the 75-lap race, with both drivers fiercely battling for a top-10 spot. Bowman, piloting the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, was riding on fresher tires, giving him an edge over Wallace’s No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota. The two traded paint multiple times, each refusing to yield an inch in their quest for seventh place. The tension peaked on Lap 70 exiting Turn 2, when Bowman made contact with Wallace, sending the No. 23 spinning down DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The crash resulted in a broken toe link for Wallace’s car, relegating him to a disappointing 28th-place finish, while Bowman crossed the line in eighth.

After the race, Bowman initially thought the collision had reopened old wounds. Speaking to Frontstretch’s Bryan Nolen and other reporters, he admitted, “I really thought we had squashed our beef, but clearly we haven’t.” His frustration was palpable as he described the chaotic exchange, noting how Wallace had pinned him against the wall in Turn 8 and again in Turn 12. Bowman felt his passes were clean, but Wallace’s aggressive defense turned him into a “pinball” between the No. 23 and the barriers. Yet, the story took a surprising turn after a post-race chat between the two drivers.

In a candid moment witnessed by fans leaving Grant Park, Bowman and Wallace hashed things out near the NASCAR garage. The conversation revealed a misunderstanding: Wallace believed Bowman was crossing him over, while Bowman insisted he was simply holding his line. “I hate to say he did it to himself, but he did it to himself,” Bowman later clarified, explaining that Wallace’s move to the outside left him no room to maneuver. The exchange seemed to diffuse some of the heat, with Wallace taking a gracious stance. “No love lost, all good,” he told NASCAR.com, focusing on his team’s effort despite the setback.

This wasn’t the first time these two have tangled. Their rivalry dates back to 2019 at the Charlotte Roval, where Bowman spun Wallace, leading to a heated confrontation that saw Wallace splash liquid on Bowman during a medical check. Last year’s Chicago Street Race added fuel to the fire when Wallace door-slammed Bowman on the cooldown lap, earning a $50,000 fine. The 2025 clash, part of NASCAR’s In-Season Challenge with a $1 million prize on the line, only heightened the stakes. Bowman advanced to the Round of Eight, while Wallace’s tournament hopes ended with the spin.

For Wallace, the incident was a costly blow. Sitting just two points above the playoff cutline, he can ill afford more mishaps with only eight regular-season races left. His recovery from a tough start to the 2025 season, including top-three finishes at Homestead-Miami and Martinsville, showed promise, but the Chicago crash underscored the fine margins he’s navigating. Bowman, meanwhile, solidified his playoff position with his 10th top-10 finish, proving his resilience after starting at the rear due to unapproved adjustments.

The NASCAR community is now watching closely to see if this rivalry will spill over into Sonoma Raceway next weekend. Will Bowman and Wallace keep the peace, or is another chapter of their saga waiting to unfold? Fans are already taking to social media, sharing clips of the incident and debating who was at fault. One thing is certain: when these two are near each other on the track, sparks are bound to fly. Stay tuned as this rivalry continues to captivate NASCAR fans and shape the playoff race.