Bubba Wallace vs. Ryan Blaney: NASCAR’s Latest Friendship on the Brink After Vegas Wreck
A Collision That Changed Everything
NASCAR thrives on rivalries, but sometimes, they hit too close to home. Bubba Wallace and Ryan Blaney, once the definition of a NASCAR bromance, found themselves on opposite sides of a fiery feud after a dramatic wreck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The pair, who have long shared mutual respect and camaraderie, saw their friendship take a massive hit after a race-changing incident late in the Shriner’s Children 400.
Much like the infamous Dale Earnhardt Sr. vs. Rusty Wallace battle in 1995, where tempers flared but respect remained intact, this latest clash could redefine the Wallace-Blaney relationship. But was this just another “racing deal,” or is their friendship now running on fumes?
How Las Vegas Pushed Their Friendship to the Limit
The race was reaching its climax when Blaney’s No. 12 Ford drifted slightly, causing Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota to make contact. What followed was a brutal crash that sent both cars slamming into the wall, leaving both drivers fuming.
Over the radio, Wallace exploded:
“Blaney came up on me!”
Meanwhile, Blaney’s spotter confirmed the damage was extensive. In frustration, the Team Penske driver snapped:
“I ain’t driving this f**ing thing back! It’s destroyed.”*
Wallace, still livid, vented again:
“I don’t know how much fing higher I can go—fing idiots.”
The wreck not only ended their chances at a strong finish but also sparked heated discussions about what really happened. While Wallace believed he was an innocent victim, Blaney later admitted fault, saying, “I feel like I probably pitched those guys to the fence along the two, so it was probably my fault.”
The Fallout: Wallace and Blaney at a Crossroads
For Wallace, the crash was a bitter pill to swallow. Before the incident, he had been running in the top five and had racked up crucial points by finishing fourth in Stages 1 and 2. However, after the wreck, he limped home to a 28th-place finish, a lap down.
Blaney, on the other hand, suffered even worse luck. The No. 12 team attempted repairs, but the damage was too severe, forcing them to retire. Disheartened, Blaney admitted he just wanted to escape the chaos:
“I just want to go home honestly and hang out with my wife tonight and just not think about racing for the evening.”
It’s a stark contrast from previous moments where Blaney and Wallace stood united. Back in 2020, when Wallace was at the center of NASCAR’s cultural shift, Blaney was one of his most vocal supporters. Their friendship wasn’t just social media deep—Blaney backed Wallace when it truly mattered. But now? NASCAR’s intense competition has forced them into a confrontation neither saw coming.
History Repeats Itself: NASCAR’s Greatest Friendships-Turned-Rivalries
Blaney and Wallace aren’t the first NASCAR buddies to see their friendship tested under the pressure of competition.
- Dale Earnhardt vs. Geoff Bodine (1987) – The two respected each other, but after a massive wreck at Charlotte, Bodine declared, “I have no respect for someone who drives like that.” Earnhardt’s response? “Rubbing is racing.”
- Jimmie Johnson vs. Jeff Gordon (2010) – The Hendrick teammates’ bond was tested when Johnson aggressively moved Gordon at Martinsville. Gordon’s furious radio outburst: “The [expletive] 48 is testing my patience.”
- Kyle Larson vs. Bubba Wallace (2022) – Wallace later apologized after wrecking Larson at Las Vegas, admitting, “I ought to be better than that.”
Now, the question is whether Wallace and Blaney will follow in the footsteps of these past legends or let the Vegas wreck permanently alter their dynamic.
Can Wallace and Blaney Rebuild? Or Is This the Beginning of a Rivalry?
The Wallace-Blaney feud now stands at a crossroads. Will this be just a footnote in their friendship, or will it become a full-blown rivalry?
Blaney, despite admitting fault, didn’t shy away from the hard truth: “When you race against guys you’re close with, it’s tough. You don’t want to step over that line.” But after this weekend, it’s clear that line has already been crossed.
History suggests that NASCAR feuds rarely vanish overnight. Blaney and Wallace’s relationship might never be the same again. The next time they go door-to-door on the track, expect tensions to be higher than ever.
