Danica Patrick’s Explosive Claim Ignites NASCAR Controversy: Bubba Wallace’s Brickyard 400 Win “Unworthy,” Kyle Larson Deserved Victory
The NASCAR Cup Series is embroiled in a firestorm of controversy following former driver Danica Patrick’s scathing remarks that Bubba Wallace was an “unworthy champion” for his victory at the 2025 Verizon 200 at the Brickyard 400, held July 27 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Patrick, speaking on her Sky Sports NASCAR podcast, passionately argued that Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson, who finished second, deserved the win due to his superior racecraft and team strategy. Her comments, amplified by posts on X like @F1_Newsletter, come amid an ongoing NASCAR investigation into Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE, spurred by unseen footage alleging technical irregularities, per Motorsport.com. With 23XI Racing, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, already battling an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, Patrick’s outburst has intensified scrutiny on Wallace’s historic triumph, threatening to overshadow his playoff-clinching achievement.
Wallace’s Brickyard 400 win marked a landmark moment, as he became the first Black driver to claim a major race at Indy, outlasting Larson in double overtime with a clever fuel-saving strategy, per NASCAR.com. The victory, secured by a 0.8-second margin after a rain delay, ended Wallace’s 100-race winless streak and locked in his playoff berth, placing him 10th in the points standings, per ESPN. However, Patrick dismissed the achievement, stating on her podcast, “Bubba’s not a worthy champion. Larson had the pace and strategy to win that race,” per Motorsport Week. She pointed to Larson’s consistent lead-lap presence and fewer errors, arguing that 23XI’s setup, now under investigation for possible illegal suspension adjustments, gave Wallace an unfair edge, per TheJudge13. Patrick’s comments echo her earlier 2025 critiques of McLaren’s Formula 1 drivers, where she similarly questioned their legitimacy, per The Guardian.
The controversy is compounded by NASCAR’s probe, launched July 31, 2025, after rival teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, lodged complaints about Wallace’s car maintaining an unusually low ride height during restarts, per Motorsport.com. Unseen onboard footage, shared by X users like @JunaidSamodien_, appears to show aerodynamic irregularities, prompting fan demands for disqualification, with @F1FanHub tweeting, “If Larson was robbed by an illegal car, NASCAR needs to fix this.” NASCAR’s statement promised a verdict post-Hungarian Grand Prix, per @NASCAR on X, heightening 23XI’s concerns as they navigate a lawsuit against NASCAR for monopolistic practices, per Newsweek. 23XI’s team president Steve Lauletta called the scrutiny “a targeted attack,” telling ESPN, “We’re fully compliant, but the timing feels suspicious given our legal fight.”
Patrick’s bias toward Larson, a former IndyCar rival and 2024 Brickyard winner, has drawn criticism, with @OmiComms on X calling her remarks “unfairly harsh on Wallace’s breakthrough.” Larson, gracious in defeat, told NASCAR.com, “Bubba drove a hell of a race. We came up short,” but Patrick argued his No. 5 Chevrolet’s pace, especially in the final 20 laps, deserved the win, per USA Today. The investigation threatens to strip Wallace’s victory, which could drop him from playoff contention and boost Larson or points leader William Byron, per NASCAR.com. Historical precedents, like Stewart-Haas Racing’s $200,000 fine for Cole Custer’s 2024 slowdown, and a 1999 Indy disqualification for an illegal fuel cell, suggest NASCAR’s readiness for harsh penalties, per Motorsport Magazine.
23XI’s legal battle, following the loss of charter status in July 2025, forces Wallace, Tyler Reddick (sixth in points), and Riley Herbst to qualify on time for each race, per USA Today. A disqualification would exacerbate the team’s financial and competitive strain, per Motorsport.com. Wallace’s past, including a 2022 suspension for wrecking Larson, fuels scrutiny, per ESPN, while NASCAR’s inconsistent rulings, like unpunished 2024 altercations involving Chase Elliott, draw fan ire, per Newsweek. Fans on X are split, with @GPFanatic22 defending, “Bubba earned it—Patrick’s just bitter,” and @NorthPoleF1 arguing, “Larson was the real winner if the car’s illegal.”
As the Hungarian Grand Prix coincides with NASCAR’s off-season preparations, Patrick’s “unworthy champion” claim has polarized the paddock. 23XI’s Hamlin, vowing “all will be exposed” in their December trial, remains defiant, per ESPN. The investigation’s outcome could redefine Wallace’s legacy, 23XI’s playoff hopes, and NASCAR’s credibility, with Patrick’s fiery remarks ensuring the Brickyard 400’s fallout dominates headlines.
