As NASCAR Cleared Bubba Wallace of Any Guilt, Insider Reveals the Victim’s Identity in Bird-Flipping Affair

Published 05/23/2023, 1:52 PM EDT

Bubba Wallace, the talented 23XI Racing driver, managed an impressive second-place finish in the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. However, his accomplishment was overshadowed by post-race incidents that grabbed the headlines.

In a post-race interview with FOX Sports, Wallace inconspicuously raised his left middle finger while Jamie Little was asking him a question, and he then adjusted his collar with the same finger.

This incident caught the attention of NASCAR officials, but they decided not to fine Wallace, stating that the gesture was directed towards a friend without any malicious intent. The incident did not go unnoticed by the public, and speculation about the intended recipient of Wallace’s gesture began to circulate. However, an insider recently revealed the true identity of the supposed victim.

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Bubba Wallace won't be penalized for flipping the bird on pit road after the race. It is NASCAR's understanding he was gesturing to a friend and while inappropriate, it wasn't done malicious.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 22, 2023

NASCAR Insider Reveals the Victim’s Identity

According to Brett Griffin, who commented on the incident in the Door, Bumper, Clear podcast, the gesture was directed at Wallace’s PR representative. Griffin explained, “Bubba was in the process of…he’s trying to basically just chill out while his PR guys in the background, behind the camera are making a motion of getting your collar correct so that we can have all of our brand displayed off for the interview.”

Griffin continued to shed light on the situation, stating, “When his PR guy or girl was trying to tell him to basically arrange yourself appropriately for this interview, he took the time to pull his middle finger up to basically say ‘f**k off’.”

These insights give a different perspective on the incident, highlighting that it was not a random act but rather a response to a specific interaction between Wallace and his PR representative.

WATCH THIS STORY: “Bubba [Wallace] Is a Blessed Man” – Amanda Carter’s Beauty Leaves Fans Awestruck as Photos of Their Big Day Come Back to Life

The Racist Radio Comments That Grabbed Headlines Before the Flipping Incident

Unfortunately, the incident involving the middle finger gesture was not the only controversy that marred Wallace’s race weekend. While Wallace was on the track, someone infiltrated the #23 team radio channel and made derogatory comments. However, Wallace himself did not hear or acknowledge the offensive remarks at the time. NASCAR officials have taken the incident seriously and launched an investigation into the breach of the radio systems, aiming to identify the culprit and address the security concerns.

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For Wallace, the runner-up finish was bittersweet. Had it been a regular race, he would have likely been much more upbeat with his result. The second-place finish continued Wallace’s recent string of strong performances, demonstrating his talent and potential on the track. He had previously achieved top-five finishes at Kansas and Darlington, showcasing his growing prowess as a driver.

Reflecting on his race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, Wallace shared his thoughts, saying, “After last night, I was really skeptical on how we were going to run – we weren’t very good. Even saving, I just didn’t have what (the winner) had. I’m pumped for (teammate) Tyler (Reddick) finishing third.”

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Despite the disappointment of falling short in the All-Star Race, Wallace remains optimistic and focused on the future. He emphasized the importance of carrying the momentum into the next race and continuing to perform well. With his eyes set on upcoming events and the playoffs, Wallace aims to build on his recent successes and make a deeper impact in the world of NASCAR.

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Written by:

Dasnoor Anand is a NASCAR writer at EssentiallySports who brings a fresh perspective to the world of motorsports. She has always had a knack for writing and a love for cars. For years, she has been a devoted follower of motorsports and is particularly intrigued by the inner workings of Formula 1 teams as well as Stock Car Auto Racing.

Edited by:

Ranvijay Singh

As NASCAR Cleared Bubba Wallace of Any Guilt, Insider Reveals the Victim’s Identity in Bird-Flipping Affair

NASCAR Insider Reveals the Victim’s Identity

The Racist Radio Comments That Grabbed Headlines Before the Flipping Incident

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