NASCAR Suspends Bubba Wallace for On-Track Incident with Kyle Larson at NOCO 400

In a dramatic turn of events following Sunday’s NOCO 400 at South Point Speedway, NASCAR has suspended Bubba Wallace for one race due to his on-track behavior and post-race conduct. The incident, which occurred at Lap 94, saw Wallace collide with fellow competitor Kyle Larson, leading to a fiery reaction that has drawn the attention of fans and the sanctioning body alike.

According to NASCAR officials, Wallace appeared to intentionally crash into Larson during the race, causing both cars to spin into the wall and out of contention. While both drivers walked away uninjured, the confrontation didn’t end there. Wallace then exited his vehicle and aggressively approached Larson on the track apron, making physical contact by shoving him repeatedly before being pulled away by team members and officials.

NASCAR issued a formal statement Monday morning outlining the reasoning for the suspension, citing violations of the behavioral policy and actions detrimental to stock car racing.

“After a thorough review of the incident on and off the track, we have determined that Bubba Wallace violated NASCAR’s Code of Conduct,” said Elton Sawyer, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition. “Intentional wrecking is not tolerated, and physical altercations between competitors only add unnecessary risk. Safety is paramount in our sport, and actions like these have no place in NASCAR.”

This marks one of the most high-profile suspensions in recent years and has stirred debate throughout the racing community. Wallace, the driver of the No. 23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing, has not publicly commented on the suspension. His team, however, did release a statement acknowledging the penalty and confirming that they will not appeal the decision.

“23XI Racing respects NASCAR’s decision regarding the penalty assessed to Bubba Wallace,” the statement read. “While we support our driver, we understand the importance of maintaining professionalism both on and off the track. We will continue to focus on our performance and regroup for the next race.”

23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, has been under the spotlight throughout the 2025 season for both its competitive growth and Wallace’s growing profile as one of the sport’s most outspoken and visible drivers. The team reaffirmed their support for Wallace while emphasizing a commitment to sportsmanship and the integrity of the competition.

Hamlin briefly addressed the situation on his podcast, Actions Detrimental, stating, “Bubba knows he lost his cool. We all have those moments as drivers, but we also have a responsibility to represent our teams and sponsors the right way. I know he’ll bounce back from this.”

Wallace will be sidelined for the upcoming race at Dover Motor Speedway, with veteran driver Trevor Bayne expected to substitute in the No. 23 car. NASCAR officials have confirmed Wallace will be eligible to return the following week at Kansas Speedway, pending completion of a behavioral evaluation.

As tensions flare and the playoff picture begins to take shape, NASCAR fans can expect an intense atmosphere heading into the final stretch of the regular season.