DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 11: Bubba Wallace 23 23XI Racing Xfinity Toyota is being interviewed during Media Day for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 11, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 11 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Media Day EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602110150500
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 11: Bubba Wallace 23 23XI Racing Xfinity Toyota is being interviewed during Media Day for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 11, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 11 NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Media Day EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2602110150500
Ryan Blaney scored his (and Ford’s) second win of the season at EchoPark Speedway, finishing just ahead of Bubba Wallace. However, the 23XI driver did not get a chance to celebrate his second-place finish.
According to the race officials, he went below the yellow line on the final lap to gain position over the frontrunners. This resulted in him getting penalized immediately after the race, dropping him down to P29.
Wallace went to the Hauler for a meeting afterwards, but that did not help. He also discussed the same with reporters after the race.
“(The rule) says ‘advancing your position,’ which I did not do,” he said, as reported by Daytona Beach News Journal. “I stayed third, and I was all over the brakes to make sure I did not advance. As soon as I turned, I’m like, ‘I’m going to wreck.’ I got on the brakes. He kept underneath me. Still ended up side-by-side.
HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 22: Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing Cheddar s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, Bubba Wallace 23 23XI Racing Xfinity Toyota and Chris Buescher 17 RFK Racing Body Guard Ford during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Autotrader 400 race on February 22, 2026 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 22 NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon9532602220270
HAMPTON, GA - FEBRUARY 22: Kyle Busch 8 Richard Childress Racing Cheddar s Scratch Kitchen Chevrolet, Bubba Wallace 23 23XI Racing Xfinity Toyota and Chris Buescher 17 RFK Racing Body Guard Ford during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Autotrader 400 race on February 22, 2026 at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 22 NASCAR Cup Series Autotrader 400 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon9532602220270
"That move should’ve propelled us to the lead, and it didn’t, because I knew it was wrong, because my car did not like that move. We’ll see what we can do. But I did not advance my position. I stayed third from entry to three all the way until 50 yards away.”
People online are not pleased, with many raising skepticism over the ruling made by NASCAR officials. One user on X said, “Totally unjustified in my opinion, Bubba was clear in his interview of the rule. He didn't advance a position just advanced the time gap & position. NASCAR needs to be more clear with their wordings.”
Another user commented on the footage seen from Christopher Bell’s car, saying, “This view makes the penalty even more questionable so good job lmao.”
Another user highlighted that the leading pack was already crowded and that Ty Gibbs’ No.54 Camry had also bumped Wallace. They said, “He’s out of the gas off four. You can hear him petaling it. 54 slams him because of it.”
One user commended Bell’s performance, seeing the race from his POV, and also gave a shoutout to his spotter, saying, “I watched his onboard the whole race, did an amazing job navigating/staying up front. S/O Tab Boyd as well.”
Bubba Wallace feels Toyota drivers don’t race well against each other
The 23XI Racing driver also spoke about the incident that took place during Stage 2. He quickly switched lanes as Ty Gibbs was coming up from below. While Wallace was braking, Gibbs bumped into his car, causing Wallace to veer off the track and onto the grass.
Speaking to TNT Sport after the race, it was evident Wallace was not pleased, and the interaction was posted to NASCAR.com. He said, “We’ll be fine. He had an opportunity to give there a lot, and he didn’t do that. And so when I told him that he quickly went on the defense and said, ‘Don’t block.’”
When you hit me square in the bumper, and you just ran right into me. So the block was clean. But yeah, that’s Toyota teammates. We don’t race very well together.”
Read more at Daytona Racing Digest
Written by
Aaradhya Singh
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason