MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. quickly shut down a viral social media post Monday that falsely claimed he criticized Bubba Wallace, calling attention to the growing issue of misinformation spreading across platforms.
A fabricated post circulating online alleged that Earnhardt had told Wallace to “shut up and get out of NASCAR,” a quote that never existed. The post gained traction on Facebook before making its way across other platforms.
Earnhardt responded directly on X (formerly Twitter), dismissing the claim and making it clear the statement was fake.
“Man these fake posts get wild,” Earnhardt wrote.
The response came swiftly after the post began gaining attention, as the NASCAR Hall of Famer used his platform to correct the narrative before it spread further.
Instances like this have become increasingly common in recent years, as misleading or entirely fabricated content — often referred to as “AI slop” — circulates widely on social media. These posts frequently mimic real headlines or quotes, making them appear legitimate at a glance despite lacking any factual basis.
In this case, the false claim targeted two of NASCAR’s most recognizable figures.
Earnhardt, now a prominent broadcaster and team owner, remains one of the sport’s most influential voices. Wallace, driver of the No. 23 for 23XI Racing, has become one of the faces of the Cup Series and is off to a strong start in the 2026 season, running near the top of the standings.
There has been no indication of any real-life conflict between the two.
Instead, Earnhardt’s quick response served as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing it — particularly in an era where viral posts can spread rapidly regardless of accuracy.
As misinformation continues to blur the lines between fact and fiction online, even within the sports world, Monday’s incident highlighted how easily narratives can be manufactured — and how quickly they can be dismantled by those directly involved.
