All is fair in love and war, but when it comes to friendship in NASCAR, the rules can often bend. What started as a promising run at the season-opening clash at the Bowman Gray Stadium turned bitter for Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney, the best of mates. All it took was one moment of trouble on lap 54, and the day unravelled in unexpected ways for the duo.
One moment in turn 3 was all it took for Bubba Wallace’s run to fall apart. It all started when a stack-up in the corner sent Wallace spinning and brought out the second caution of the race. But what followed was confusion, damage, and an early trip to the garage for the No. 23.
“We are just awful.” The 23XI Racing driver admitted.
Wallace was caught at the front of the mess as contact sent Ross Chastain into Ryan Blaney and Blaney into Wallace, sending Bubba around in turn three. The damage forced Wallace to pit for repairs, and over the radio, it was clear that the car was done handling.
“Nothing. No grip anywhere,” Wallace said, noting his steering wheel was straight despite the loss of control.
However, it was Ryan Blaney’s admission over the radio that sent the NASCAR community into a frenzy.
Blaney, Wallace’s close friend, was initially frustrated and asked that a message be passed along.
“Make sure the 23 knows the 1 just shipped me. I don’t know why he did that,” the No. 12 driver said.
The #23 of @BubbaWallace is going to the garage for repairs https://t.co/Bk8jXMN7r3
— Lucky Dog On Track (@LuckyDogOnTrack) February 4, 2026
However, after seeing the replay, the Team Penske driver clarified what he saw instead of escalating the situation.
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“[Ross] tried to get down and Joey tried to play bumper cars,” Blaney added.
In the end, a single lap summed up a rough afternoon for the duo, and now all eyes will be on Wallace, who looks for a strong recovery at the most-awaited Clash event.
But what matters most is how the No. 23 team is expected to perform once the green flag drops at the Daytona 500 next week. Here’s a little preview for Denny Hamlin’s organization following the 2026 season.
Bubba Wallace’s 2026 season preview
Bubba Wallace heads into the 2026 season with mixed momentum and unanswered questions. After eight full-time Cup Series seasons with 300 starts, he has proven he can run at the front, but he still hasn’t found the consistency that separates contenders from also-rans.
Last year, Wallace finished 11th in the standings with one win, six top fives, and 14 top tens, matching his best numbers since 2024. On the surface, it looked like progress. But the underlying issues were impossible to ignore.
9 DNFs dragged his average finish down to 18.5, a significant drop from the prior year and a reminder of how quickly a promising season can unravel.
Still, there were signs of real growth. The 32-year-old driver showed a strong edge over his teammates on intermediate ovals, and he continued to improve on road courses, delivering solid top 15 runs at Mexico City, Watkins Glen, and the Charlotte oval. Those results suggest he’s expanding his strength and becoming a more complete driver.
The biggest question heading into 2026 is simple: Can Wallace finish races? If the No. 23 team can clean up the racks and keep the car on track, Wallace has the potential to be more than just a solid performer.
He could become a dark horse contender, one of those drivers who doesn’t always dominate the headlines but quietly makes his way into the championship conversation.
However, this minor incident at the non-points-paying race is just a small bump on the road. The pieces are there. Now, he just has to put them together.
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