Blaney’s Win Slips Away as Bubba Wallace Caught in Late-Race Chaos — Dale Jr. Defends Friend Amid Controversy

April 2025 – NASCAR fans were left stunned this past weekend as Ryan Blaney, on the brink of his first win of the 2025 season, saw his hopes dashed in the final laps of a chaotic race. The late-race drama, sparked by an incident involving close friend Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson, not only changed the race outcome but triggered a wave of fan speculation and even accusations of manipulation. Fortunately, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. stepped in to set the record straight.

A Race-Changing Caution with Just Four to Go

With only four laps remaining, Blaney was leading the pack and appeared poised for victory. That changed abruptly when Kyle Larson—several laps down—suddenly checked up in front of 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace, causing an unavoidable collision. Wallace’s car made contact with Larson, who spun out, triggering a caution that would change the entire complexion of the race.

Larson’s maneuver came in reaction to Tyler Reddick brushing the wall ahead. But many viewers, including Earnhardt Jr., were puzzled by just how dramatically Larson slowed down given how far ahead Reddick was. The timing of the caution allowed Reddick to close the gap on Blaney, ultimately paving the way for Denny Hamlin to swoop in and take the win.

Accusations and Analysis: Was It Intentional?

As soon as the dust settled, social media lit up with allegations. Some fans speculated that Wallace may have had a hand in manipulating the outcome—a claim that quickly gained traction. However, one of the most respected voices in NASCAR, Dale Earnhardt Jr., dismissed those theories in his latest Dale Jr. Download podcast.

“Bubba spins Larson and you can see clearly as they’re exiting Turn 2, Larson just kind of powers down. I wonder why he did that? I know Reddick got into the wall, but that was so far in front of him,” Junior said.

Earnhardt Jr. made it clear that Wallace didn’t act with any ill intent, calling the whole situation a “racing incident” that Wallace was simply caught up in.

“He’s a long ways back. I wonder why [Larson] powered down so hard. He just — middle of 1 and 2 — kind of went by Bubba, so he knows Bubba is right on his right rear full steam. That was surprising. Everybody was like, ‘Oh, Bubba did it on purpose.’ But he did not,” Earnhardt added.

Why Larson Stayed in the Race

A key detail in understanding the incident is Kyle Larson’s decision to continue racing, despite being several laps down following an earlier wreck. While some questioned the logic of staying out, Earnhardt Jr. shed light on the mentality shared by most NASCAR teams.

“The teams would do anything in the world they could to avoid walking out of there feeling like they didn’t try their hardest. They weren’t going to leave that racetrack thinking, ‘Yeah, we just kind of gave up.’”

According to Earnhardt, no team wants to walk away with a Did Not Finish (DNF) next to their name, and that pressure pushes teams to get back on the track no matter what.

The DVP Debate: A Culture of Perseverance at Risk?

Earnhardt Jr. also used the situation to express his long-standing concern about NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP). While the rule was designed to enhance safety and competition integrity, Junior believes it may be cultivating a dangerous mindset where giving up becomes the norm.

“When the DVP came in, that was my concern. You’re going to normalize giving up. The mental aspect of it was what never sat well with me because it would normalize guys just sort of saying, ‘Alright, we’re done. Let’s just go home,’ and the driver’s home before the checkered flag falls.”

For drivers like Larson, giving up isn’t in their DNA. Even after significant damage, Larson returned to the race to do what racers are trained to do—compete to the very end.

A Story of Friendship, Misfortune, and Racing Spirit

While Ryan Blaney may have been robbed of a hard-fought win, the bigger story revolves around the unpredictable nature of motorsport—and the integrity of the drivers at its heart. Wallace, a longtime friend of Blaney’s, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The ensuing backlash reveals how quickly narratives can spiral in the high-stakes world of NASCAR.

As for Dale Earnhardt Jr., his words serve as a reminder that beneath every crash, spin, or sudden slowdown, there are layers of context—and a deep-rooted culture of grit and never giving up that defines the sport.