The NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicago Street on June 2025 was marked by fierce competition and dramatic moments, particularly between Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace. The intense on-track clash, central to the event’s drama, saw Bowman dump Wallace in a heated duel, highlighting the fierce rivalry and stakes involving the in-season tournament as well as points toward the playoff cutoff.
Fierce Race Action and the Wild Duel Between Bowman and Wallace
Both Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace began the race from the back of the grid due to incidents during practice and unapproved car changes. They were also competing head-to-head in the in-season bracket challenge for a $1 million prize, which intensified the tension between the two drivers. Their rivalry, initially perceived as a staged “fake beef,” turned real once the race started, culminating in a dramatic collision that shaped the race’s outcome.
The incident unfolded as the No. 23 Toyota Camry driven by Wallace made repeated contact with Bowman’s No. 48 Chevy. This aggressive exchange disrupted Bowman’s rhythm in his fight for a top-10 finish. At one point, Wallace’s car even forced Bowman into the wall, provoking a fierce response. Bowman retaliated by hitting Wallace’s car from behind, spinning him out and ending the battle decisively. Bowman finished in eighth place, while Wallace’s race ended with a 28th-place result.
Consequences of the Crash on the Championship and Points Battle
The collision not only dashed Wallace’s hopes in the bracket challenge but also dealt a blow to his Chase points, leaving him only two points above the playoff cut-line and severely jeopardizing his chances of advancing into the postseason as one of the top 16 drivers. Bowman, meanwhile, managed to salvage an eighth-place finish, gaining valuable points and monetary rewards despite the incident.
After the race, Bowman reflected on the confrontation, emphasizing his frustration and his view that Wallace was primarily responsible. Speaking to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, Bowman said,
“I’d have to watch it back to be certain, but I felt like he kind of did it to himself because I kept getting pinballed between him and the outside wall. Wasn’t the intention, but I don’t know — we had way fresher tires than him.”
He also acknowledged the in-season tournament’s influence on the aggressive racing but made clear that his focus was on finishing the race strongly rather than getting caught up in the rivalry.
“I get the In-Season tournament is a lot, but at that point, I’m just trying to finish the best I can. I wasn’t really thinking about that. Don’t know if that’s what it was about or what, but unfortunate that it happened. It tore up our car a bunch and killed his day.”
—Alex Bowman
Post-Race Conversation Shows Mutual Respect Despite On-Track Drama
Contrary to expectations of lingering hostility following the aggressive collision, Alex Bowman and Bubba Wallace spoke calmly after the race, smiling and appearing to have resolved their differences. Wallace expressed acceptance of how the duel unfolded and seemed to have put the incident behind him, emphasizing that no lasting resentment remained between them.
Wallace told NASCAR.com,
“You know, late call on the 5 that got us spun. Hated that. Just when you think everything’s going OK, but we were able to jump ship and switch up plans, put us right back in the race. So man, I was passing cars, having fun, showing that we keep improving and keep building confidence. We’ll be fine. So hate to see it end that way. It was fun. Fun with the 48. No love lost, all good.”
What This Means for Bubba Wallace’s Season and Team Strategy
The incident forces Bubba Wallace and his 23XI Racing team to take a hard look at their approach moving forward. With the risk of missing the playoffs looming due to reduced points, their focus must shift toward avoiding costly mistakes while maximizing opportunities for race wins and points accumulation. The team’s ability to rebound will be critical for Wallace’s chances of competing in the postseason.
As the regular season progresses, it remains to be seen how Wallace’s performance and strategy will evolve to meet these high stakes, especially given the intense competition on the Chicago Street circuit and beyond.
Additional Highlights from the Chicago Street NASCAR Race
While the Bowman-Wallace duel drew significant attention, Shane van Gisbergen delivered a standout performance by executing a controlled and clinical race, securing his second victory of the 2025 season. His win further solidified his position in the driver standings and added another chapter to the eventful weekend in Chicago.
The race featured multiple hard-fought battles among drivers, with crashes and aggressive moves shaping the dynamic atmosphere that kept fans on edge throughout the event. This added further complexity to the ongoing regular-season championship fight as the field continues to jockey for playoff positions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Alex Bowman get a brain injury?
A. In 2022, Bowman started the season by securing the second spot in the qualifying round for the Daytona 500. However, during lap 63, he crashed into Harrison Burton’s overturned car.
Q. Is Alex Bowman in a relationship?
A. Alex Bowman and his girlfriend, Chloe Henderson, make an ideal pair in the racing world!
