Former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t condone what Bubba Wallace did during the Cookout 400 at Martinsville Speedway.
Wallace rammed into Carson Hocevar’s vehicle last Sunday and caused a 12-car pileup that impacted Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez and Connor Zelisch among others. At first glance, this crash seemed to be intentional on Wallace’s end. It’s hard to imagine he wanted that to happen though considering he finished in 36th.
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During the latest episode of “The Dale Jr. Download,” Earnhardt offered his thoughts on Wallace’s collision with Hocevar. Let’s just say he was blunt with his assessment of the 23XI Racing driver.
“He just drove through him. I didn’t like what you did,” Earnhardt said, via On3. “I think he owned it, though. I mean, he wrecked him. He realized he f—-d up.”
Mar 29, 2026; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace (23) during practice at Martinsville Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.
(© Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.)
Bubba Wallace takes accountability.
After the crash at Martinsville occurred, Wallace admit that he misjudged the corner on Lap 327.
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“I misjudged. I didn’t appreciate the three-wide into [Turn 1], fine, but I misjudged the center of the corner and didn’t mean to turn [Hocevar],” Wallace said, via Motorsports Wire. “What a frustrating day. With so much expectation coming here, favorite track, Hardee’s on the car. Just wasn’t the day we wanted. We really have to figure out what it is this place. We can win Saturday in practice, but we just don’t show up on Sunday. So, I hate it for our team. Just frustration. Take a week off and reset and go onto Bristol.”
There’s no question Wallace will want to redeem himself and 23XI Racing next time he’s on the track.
The Cup Series will resume on April 12 with the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Apr 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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