Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson are fierce competitors on the race track despite maintaining a friendly relationship off the track.
The 2024 NASCAR season commenced early with the LA Clash at the Colosseum, but due to heavy rain in Los Angeles, the event was postponed. Joe Gibbs Racing’s driver emerged victorious in the race, which was organized by RCR. Many considered it to be the most exciting race at the temporary 0.25-mile track since its inaugural event in 2022.
The race was filled with thrilling moments both on and off the track, including a confrontation and clash between the drivers. One notable incident occurred when the 2021 Cup champion intentionally spun Wallace on the final lap of the race. This maneuver caused Wallace to drop out of the top 10, ultimately finishing in 12th place.
During a post-race discussion, Larson openly admitted that the incident was not accidental. He confessed that he deliberately pushed Wallace towards the wall, resulting in the spin. Larson justified his actions by highlighting Wallace’s aggressive behavior throughout the race, claiming that he had been repeatedly shoved by him. Larson sought revenge before the race’s conclusion and successfully executed his plan.
Following the race, Wallace, who had been spun out, was awarded a 12th place finish. However, what many were unaware of, as it was not covered by Fox Sports during the race, was that Wallace did not actually complete the race. After being spun out, he drove straight to the tunnel instead of returning to the track to finish.
Wallace later shared this incident with his fans on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “But how I finish 12th, and I ain’t even finish the race. Got spun and just went up the tunnel.” He accompanied his post with a gif featuring Stephen A Smith.
The finishing position at the LA Clash holds little significance unless the drivers are among the top three, as this could lead to a substantial payday. The remaining drivers on the grid are striving for a strong finish that will provide them with momentum heading into the upcoming Daytona 500.