NASCAR will not penalize Bubba Wallace after he was seen raising the middle finger during a post-race interview following his second-place finish in the star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway over the weekend.
The decision not to fine Wallace comes from Understanding NASCAR that Wallace was gesturing toward a friend and that while the gesture itself was inappropriate, it was not made with malicious intent, FOX Sports reported Monday.
Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Columbia Sportswear Company Toyota, takes the stage during driver introductions ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 21, 2023 in North Wilkesboro, SC North. (Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Wallace finished second in the 200-lap race on Sunday behind Kyle Larson, who claimed his third victory in the All-Star race in just five years.
BUBBA WALLACE APPEARS TO TURN CAMERA OFF; NASCAR REPORTEDLY INVESTIGATED AN APPARENT HACK ON THE DRIVER’S RADIO
While speaking with FOX Sports’ Jamie Little, Wallace flipped the bird in a subtle way while apparently adjusting the collar of his fire suit.
Video of the incident went viral on social media.
Bubba Wallace, #23 23XI Racing Columbia Sportswear Company Toyota, speaks with members of his team during the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race on May 21, 2023 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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However, the obscene gesture and Wallace’s second-place finish were overshadowed by another controversy when someone reportedly hacked into his radio during the race.
«Go back to where you came from, idiot,» the person said. «You’re not wanted in NASCAR.»
Bubba Wallace, #23 23XI Racing Columbia Sportswear Company Toyota, during the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star race on Sunday night on May 21, 2023 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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According to Motorsport.com, Wallace did not hear the message or acknowledge it. NASCAR is reportedly looking into the matter.
Ryan Gaydos of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.