Bubba Wallace’s 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is teetering on the edge after a heated clash with fellow driver Alex Bowman at the Chicago race. This incident has left Wallace’s NASCAR playoff struggle increasingly urgent, as he now faces a slim margin to secure a spot in the postseason with only seven races remaining in the regular season.
Prior to Chicago, Wallace had quietly put together one of the strongest stretches in his career, maintaining a steady position above the playoff cut line thanks to consistent stage points and strategic driving. However, the confrontation with Bowman altered his trajectory, dropping Wallace to just two points above the playoff bubble by the end of the race weekend.
A History of On-Track Rivalry Between Wallace and Bowman
Wallace and Bowman’s rivalry on road courses runs deep, dating back to a tense 2018 encounter at the Charlotte Roval that ended with Wallace’s infamous water bottle toss after the race. Their feud reignited in 2024 when Wallace was fined $50,000 for door-checking Bowman following the Chicago event. Though the 2025 race began with a lighter tone and playful banter during TNT’s pre-race broadcast, tensions quickly resurfaced.
In the closing laps with a potential top-10 finish within reach, Wallace defended his position against Bowman, who was pushing hard with fresher tires. Multiple collisions occurred through the tight corners of Grant Park, culminating when Bowman hooked Wallace into a spin at Turn 2, costing Wallace valuable track position and points.
“I thought we had squashed our beef, but clearly we’ve not… So certainly not trying to crash anybody. I mean, I’d have to watch it back to be certain, but I felt like he did it to himself because I kept pinballing between him and the outside wall. So yeah, wasn’t the intention. I felt like he did it to himself,” Bowman told NASCAR post-race.
Wallace responded from the infield care center with a more measured comment on the incident’s aftermath, highlighting his optimism despite the setback.
“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.”
Wallace’s Defiance Reflects a Complex Rivalry and Playoff Urgency
This latest clash felt more reflective than previous encounters, as the two drivers seemed to acknowledge their ongoing competitive history rather than escalate it further. Nonetheless, Wallace’s determination to hold his ground on older tires against a fresher Bowman introduced fresh tension, echoing past conflicts while underscoring the high stakes of the playoff chase.
Playoff Pressure Builds as Wallace’s Margin Narrows
Unlike earlier, more explosive conflicts from this rivalry, the immediate fallout was subdued, with no post-race theatrics such as door slams or water tosses. However, the real consequence may be Wallace’s shrinking cushion in points. Bowman secured an eighth-place finish, comfortably sitting 39 points above the playoff cut line, while Wallace now clings to a precarious two-point lead over Ryan Preece, with just four playoff spots left to claim.
For Wallace, the narrowing margin means a win is likely his only reliable ticket into the playoffs. Yet, with seven races remaining, only two events are road courses—Sonoma and Watkins Glen—both of which are not Wallace’s strongest tracks. Additionally, two short-track races at Iowa and Richmond offer little certainty, contributing to an unpredictable path forward.
Superspeedway Success Offers Wallace a Glimmer of Hope
Where Wallace’s performance stands out is at superspeedways. He has previously earned victories at Talladega and Kansas, and his 2025 average finish of 16.2 on superspeedways is his best among all track types. This strength could prove decisive with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona still on the schedule as the final regular-season event.
Despite this strategic advantage, the loss of a solid top-10 finish in Chicago due to a rivalry-related incident may prove pivotal. Wallace now faces immense pressure to capture a win during the closing stretch of the regular season to secure his playoff position, fueling an increasingly high-stakes battle as the season nears its climax.
