NASCAR fans haven’t stopped going after driver Bubba Wallace for flipping everyone off during a post-race interview and acting coy about it several weeks ago, and apparently Wallace has gotten frustrated about it being brought up so often too because he’s finally decided to talk about it so his haters can get ready to be mad at him for something else.
After finishing 17th at the Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, Wallace spoke with Sirius XM NASCAR Radio and claimed there was a double standard that fans hold him to compared to other drivers.
“People think that I love to stay in the headlines for different reasons and I actually hate it,” said Wallace. “The finger’s become such a big thing when Bubba Wallace does it. But you have guys that get wrecked and they walk on the track and shoot one bird or short the double-bird and we laugh about it and move on. We tell them that they’re No. 1.
“But when Bubba Wallace does it we gotta shut the whole state down, shut the whole series down, kick him out, suspend him.
@BubbaWallace talks about his tendency for flipping the bird and why he plans to stop doing it. pic.twitter.com/Gtq1aR3t5w
— Kyle Dalton (@kdsportswriter) June 10, 2023
RELATED: Classless Bubba Wallace Flashes The Bird To Critics On Live TV After NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race
“So, on that side of things, it’s complete BS. But, it is what it is,” Wallace continued. “It’s been going on for years and it sounds like I just invented something new. And we know how some of these people that are part of this sport hate when Bubba Wallace brings in something new.”
The situation began at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Tyson 250 several weeks ago when Wallace was asked about his reaction to being booed by fans post-race. Despite trying to dismiss it, Wallace’s discomfort was noticeable.
In response to the boos, Wallace told reporters he was making too much money to care about what the fans thought of his performance or him personally. He stated, “Hey, as long as you continue to live your life, judging a book by its core, that’s who you are. Don’t change it up for anybody else. That’s the biggest thing. That’s fine. I mean I finished 5th. I got a good payday. I’m good.”
Real professional there @BubbaWallace @23XIRacing flipping the bird at the start of his post race interview. No class man. #NASCAR @NASCAR @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/bg7fiIrHol
— Charlie Waffles (@CWaffles) May 22, 2023
However, after finishing second in the NASCAR CUP Series All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Wallace revealed his displeasure about the criticism. He made an offensive gesture to the camera during his post-race interview, clearly intending to aggravate his detractors, which triggered a strong reaction on Twitter.
The event has provoked a variety of responses on social media. Some NASCAR fans criticize Wallace’s behavior, calling it unprofessional and classless, while others discuss Wallace’s approach to embracing criticism and intentionally provoking his critics.
The irony is that he wasn’t disciplined or suspended for flipping the bird, unlike last season when he was suspended for intentionally wrecking Kyle Larson in Las Vegas.
What do you think of Bubba trying to state there is a double standard among NASCAR fans? Let us know in the comments below and across social media.
NEXT: Five Of The Best Bumps-And-Runs In NASCAR History
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