Wallace made the decision to start things off with a question when he noticed a group of media at Pocono Raceway.
Does anyone have any cash? He made a joke.
Wallace’s finances were a little light this week following his $50,000 sanction from NASCAR for making retaliatory contact with race winner Alex Bowman during the Chicago Street Race’s cooling lap.
Wallace door-slammed Bowman’s car and sent it into the wall.
Wallace undoubtedly paid a price for the move, but since he drives for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing squad, he is able to pay the fee.
Wallace realized from the experience that he wasn’t acting like the person he wanted to be at the track, which was even more significant. Wallace remarked on Saturday, “I think getting the penalty was the best thing that’s happened to me.” “I’ve been unhappy for a long time.”
Wallace, 30, has always been candid about his difficulties with depression, which are brought on by both personal and professional setbacks.
Usually one to show his emotions freely, Wallace admitted that, as the next Cup Series race draws near, he hasn’t been a happy man on the track.
“I’ve been walking around with a persona I’m not proud of,” Wallace said.
Wallace expressed regret for his recent actions to Bowman, his publicist, a journalist he ignored last week, and even the NASCAR representative who alerted him to the fine. “I’m just irritated,” Wallace remarked, “I’m trying way too hard.”
“I’m not concentrating on the proper things.” Following his successful campaign to have the NASCAR outlaw the Confederate flag in 2020, Wallace has also struggled with his role as a change agent in the organization.
For many who have long yearned for a Black driver to upend the status quo in a largely White sport, he is revered as a hero.
Others view Wallace as someone quite different, and during his career, he has encountered many detractors on social media.
“You know that people have been wanting me to quit the sport for the past four or five years?” stated Wallace. “People aren’t truly understanding.”
Wallace encountered retired NASCAR legend Kevin Harvick this week, who proved to be an unexpected source of wisdom.
When the conversation shifted to the Bowman incident and NASCAR’s fine, Wallace and Harvick were scheduled to compete in a grassroots racing series.
Wallace was instructed by Harvick, one of NASCAR’s most outspoken drivers for a long time, to arrive to Pocono “with a smile on my face and accept it.”
Wallace remarked, “I might not agree with the penalty, but I’m smiling about it.”
He also imparted several insightful words to me. to be the fun-loving man I always am and always be present during the week.
That, in my opinion, is among the most significant things that I have been told. Sundays are when I hide who I really am from the world.
I was devastated by that. Being the same person both on and off the racetrack is something I always speak about.
Being at the Cup level is like a pressure cooker, isn’t it? And I’ve been miserable for the past four years trying to seem like everything is fine.
Wallace maintained that his mental state was OK generally. However, he still had to apologize to his spouse, Amanda.
He admitted, “I wasn’t the best husband.” “After poor races, I gave her the impression that she needed to tread carefully. That isn’t the main point.
It’s about returning home, starting over, and forming strong relationships with those around you. That’s what I’m excited about.
Wallace claimed that he deviated from his typically upbeat demeanor at the track because he was constantly driven to establish himself as a person, despite having won two Cups.
Wallace claimed he’s had a difficult connection with his father over the years, and he laughed when he said he blamed him for telling him not to make problems. But always to see things through, if necessary.
An eye for an eye.
Following the race in soggy Chicago, Bowman said that Wallace had been spun during the event and that the revenge was justified.
Bowman also supported Wallace’s immunity from punishment. Wallace “has every right be mad,” according to Bowman.
Wallace hit Bowman after the race with his window net down, and Bowman’s car camera captured the impact, causing the driver to sway.
Was my timing off? Yes, exactly,” Wallace replied. “His seatbelt was off, and his window net was down.” Not the best circumstances
Bowman claimed that Wallace had been misled during the race in rainy Chicago and that the retaliation was appropriate.
Bowman backed Wallace’s immunity from prosecution as well. Wallace “has every right to be mad,” Bowman said.
Following the race, Bowman’s car camera caught Wallace hitting him with his window net down, forcing the driver to sway.
Was I timing things wrong? Yes, precisely,” Wallace answered.
“His seatbelt was off, and his window net was down.” Not ideal conditions.
Perhaps losing $50,000 isn’t so horrible in comparison to those options—even though Wallace joked that house renovations would have to wait.
Wallace stated, “Hey, we might have to postpone that baby room.” to his wife. “I must first pay this fine.”
Honored by Truex The end of Martin Truex Jr.’s NASCAR career is in sight. He has arrived at Pocono already.
The track painted TRUEX Jr. near the start/finish line in tribute of Truex, who said he will retire from full-time racing at the end of this season.
The two-time track winner Truex remarked, “As a driver, you never feel like you’re really deserving of things like that.”
Pocono doing that is quite special to my family and me. It’s really cool to watch, and perhaps tomorrow we’ll be the first to cross it.
In his final season, Truex may use a victory to set himself up to pursue a second career Cup championship.
Truex is currently holding onto one of the four available places in Joe Gibs Racing despite having not yet won a race this season.
