Bubba Wallace has expressed regret after a mid-race incident with Brad Keselowski during the 2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. The 23XI Racing driver acknowledged that his actions led to Keselowski’s spin, which ultimately cost the RFK Racing star a strong finish.
Sunday’s race, held at the iconic short track in Winston-Salem, saw Wallace start from 14th place in a 23-car field. While Chase Elliott emerged victorious, Wallace managed to secure a fifth-place finish—but not without controversy. His climb up the order came at the expense of Keselowski, who fell to the back of the pack after the contact.
The incident occurred just past the halfway mark on lap 120. Wallace was closely trailing Keselowski and Ryan Blaney when he made an aggressive move, tapping the rear of the No. 6 car. The contact sent Keselowski spinning, while Wallace capitalized on the moment to move into the top five. However, while Wallace maintained his position and finished fifth, Keselowski struggled to recover and ended the race in 21st place.
Following the event, Wallace admitted to reporters that he had been too aggressive and took responsibility for the contact. “Yeah, I hate that I got into the No. 6,” Wallace said. “I didn’t want to get a top-five finish that way. He was trying everything to get down, and I got greedy and wanted to fill the hole. I didn’t think I hit him that hard, but obviously, I did. So I apologize for that.”
The Cook Out Clash marked Wallace’s first race with his new crew chief, Charles Denike, who took over after Bootie Barker stepped down during the offseason. While the race provided Wallace with a solid result, the controversy surrounding his move on Keselowski highlighted the intense competition and aggression that often define Bowman Gray’s tight quarters.
For Keselowski, the spin was a frustrating setback in an event where track position is crucial. The RFK Racing driver had been running competitively before the contact, but with limited time to recover, he was left with a disappointing finish.
As the NASCAR season progresses, Wallace will look to carry forward his strong performance while hoping to avoid further incidents. Meanwhile, Keselowski will be eager to bounce back after a frustrating night at The Madhouse.
