CHICAGO — The NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at the Chicago Street Course delivered high drama Sunday, with a mid-race collision between Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace adding to the event’s intensity. The incident, occurring on Lap 25 in Turn 11, left both drivers with damaged cars and sparked heated reactions, further fueling their storied rivalry.
Wallace, driving the No. 23 Toyota for 23XI Racing, had fought his way to 16th after starting at the rear due to unapproved adjustments. Larson, in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, was also recovering from a similar penalty.
As the field navigated the tight 2.2-mile street circuit, Larson made an aggressive move, diving inside Wallace in Turn 11. The maneuver caught Wallace off guard, resulting in contact that sent his car spinning. Wallace dropped to 32nd, while Larson continued, though his car sustained visible damage.
Wallace’s frustration was evident over the radio, where he criticized his spotters for a late call, saying he didn’t see Larson until the impact. The 23XI team believed Larson’s move was overly ambitious, labeling it a “divebomb.” Despite the setback, Wallace rallied, leveraging a Lap 29 caution to regain positions, eventually finishing 28th. Larson, benefiting from NASCAR’s updated 2025 damaged vehicle policy allowing extensive repairs, pressed forward but struggled to contend for the lead, finishing outside the top 10.
The incident reignited tensions between the two drivers, who have a history of on-track clashes, including a 2022 Las Vegas altercation that led to Wallace’s one-race suspension for intentional retaliation. Sunday’s wreck, however, appeared unintentional, with data suggesting Larson braked suddenly to avoid another incident ahead, leaving Wallace little time to react. No penalties were issued by NASCAR, but the collision added fuel to ongoing fan debates about their rivalry.
The race, won by Shane Van Gisbergen, saw additional chaos with multiple cautions and strategic pit calls. Wallace’s spin wasn’t the only drama; he later collided with Alex Bowman in a fierce battle for seventh, ending his In-Season Challenge hopes. Larson, meanwhile, faced challenges staying out of trouble, with his aggressive driving drawing scrutiny.
Despite the damage and lost positions, both drivers showed resilience. Wallace’s team praised his effort to recover, while Larson’s crew worked tirelessly to keep him competitive. The Chicago Street Race, with its tight corners and unpredictable restarts, once again proved a battleground for intense racing and simmering rivalries.
Wallace and Bowman got into each other a few times on Sunday as well.
NASCAR received a lot of feedback for its race management on Sunday.
