Recall the 2022 Las Vegas showdown, when Bubba Wallace’s deliberate destruction of Kyle Larson’s vehicle resulted in a one-race NASCAR penalty. The confrontation, which was fueled by Larson’s hard block, involved Wallace pushing him in a heated altercation, an act Jeff Burton referred to as a “line crossed”.
But in the aftermath, Wallace was quick to apologise. “I compete with immense passion, and with passion at times comes frustration. Upon reflecting, I should have represented our partners and core team values better than I did by letting my frustrations follow me outside of the car. You live and learn, and I intend to learn from this.” It’s why the two have maintained respect for each other, something we can see even today.
Let’s rewind a little bit. It all started with Wallace’s improbable IndyCar ambitions and Larson’s tireless quest for Indy 500 glory.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a war zone where fantasy meets reality, and for the 23XI racer, the Indy 500 is like an adventurous, intimidating frontier. It’s one piece of glory NASCAR driver Kyle Larson wants to go for, but his attempts have been foiled in the past. Could Bubba Wallace follow him down that path?
Wallace has made his mark in NASCAR, relying on IndyCar legend Scott Dixon’s advice on road courses, but his performances haven’t been too hot. His road course woes— such as an average 24.3 finish at Sonoma underscore how difficult driving in the high-speed IndyCar series could be. And it seems Wallace is not too fond of chasing IndyCar.
“I texted [Scott Dixon] last week that, what were they on last week? The road course, right? That their race looked easy. His race looked easy. I was obviously kidding. And so we’ve never talked about. He knows my road course expertise is not that good. And I’m damn sure he didn’t want to know. So I’m good where I’m at,” Wallace confessed to Frontstretch. But Wallace may be selling himself too short. He has got a taste of the Indianapolis track thrice (2021-23) when NASCAR brought the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard and had his best finish of P5 in 2022 out of the three outings.
His under-confidence is understandable, as out of his 31 starts, he had an underwhelming one top-five and two top-10 finishes on road courses. But Dixon, a six-time Indy 500 starter, didn’t just brush it off. In 2023, during Wallace’s NASCAR race at Watkins Glen, Dixon’s voice kept reminding him of his potential: “He basically told me to shut the hell up and that I’m here for a reason and to trust in myself and believe in myself and this is what can happen. I don’t think I had one lap where I said I was going to suck, so it was good.” That tough-love pep talk pushed Wallace to that top-five finish, planting a seed of possibility. Dixon’s belief in him wasn’t just a moment—it was a bridge to IndyCar’s world.
That seed is growing. Wallace may take inspiration from Hailie Deegan’s bold 2025 transition from NASCAR to IndyCar, as proof that the jump is possible. IndyCar’s new tweak in rules, allowing replacement drivers during the 500, also offers a practical entry point. But doubt gnaws at him. His honesty is laying bare the gap between his NASCAR comfort zone and IndyCar’s razor-edge demands. The Indy 500 isn’t just a race—it’s a legacy that tests every ounce of courage.
Larson’s own Indy struggle mirrors the 23XI driver’s hesitation. However, there are a few things that could make the jump easier, if Wallace chooses to make it, as Kyle Larson pointed out. “Nothing about the IndyCar felt really much different than a Next-Gen car. Once we went from the old car to the Next-Gen car, like that sharpness of grip to grip to no grip was much tighter. So I think that the time that I had spent in the Next-Gen car kind of made that transition not that difficult for the IndyCar,” revealed the #5 HMS driver. His 2024 crash wasn’t just a setback—it was a humbling lesson in Indy’s cruelty. Yet, the Hendrick driver’s resolve burns bright, fueled by the same Indy magic that tugs at Wallace.
The Speedway binds them in a shared dance of ambition and fear. Could Dixon finally talk him into running the Indy 500 one year? Wallace, heart pounding, stands at the edge, wondering if he’ll one day join him on Indy’s sacred stage.
Wallace has a lot of things going his way
Wallace rolled into North Wilkesboro Speedway for the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend and absolutely crushed it in practice. He clocked the fastest lap at 123.376 mph in his No. 23 Toyota Camry XSE, nearly beating Ty Gibbs and edging out Christopher Bell in the combined All-Star Race and Open practice session. He finished as the 3rd fastest in the qualifying. That $1 million prize is on the line, and Wallace’s car is rolling.
Wallace’s practice dominance had his fans fired up. One of NASCAR’s highest-profile drivers, he’s breaking records and opening doors for a generation to come. Still, a cloud hangs over 23XI. Former NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, now a FOX Sports analyst, didn’t hold back when sharing opinions about the team’s ongoing legal fight with NASCAR. 23XI and Front Row Motorsports are suing over the 2025 charter agreement, claiming unfairness. The doubt might affect the team’s future, but Wallace does not seem to mind, concentrating instead on what he can control: racing well.
As the All-Star Race weekend unfolds, all eyes are on Bubba. Qualifying and the All-Star Open on Saturday will set the stage for Sunday’s main event. Can he turn that practice speed into a million-dollar paycheck? With a fresh contract, a fired-up team, and a car that’s flying, Wallace is ready to silence the doubters. Let’s go, Bubba!
The post Bubba Wallace Unsure of Stepping Foot on Roger Penkse’s Turf as He Refuses Going the Kyle Larson Way appeared first on EssentiallySports.
