Why NASCAR penalized Bubba Wallace after Atlanta race finish
Why NASCAR penalized Bubba Wallace after Atlanta race finish
Why NASCAR penalized Bubba Wallace after Atlanta race finishTom Kreager, Nashville TennesseanMon, Jul 13, 2026·1 min read
Bubba Wallace went from a top-three finish to the tail end of the lead lap on July 13 at the NASCAR Atlanta race.
Wallace was penalized postrace of the Quaker State 400. Wallace was running third on the last lap behind Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar when he zoomed to the inside of Hocevar but went below the yellow line. He came back above the line and was three wide with Hocevar and Ryan Blaney. Wallace finished second in real time before he was penalized by NASCAR for advancing his position by going below the yellow line. He finished 29th.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement
Wallace disputed after the race if he actually gained position when he went below the yellow line. He said he was on his brakes to not advance position.
"It says don't go below the yellow line and gain your position, which I didn't," Wallace said in a TV interview after the race. "I was still third. And I got a shove from (Ty Gibbs) to go to second. Technically, no positions were gained."
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) (Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Clemco Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Campers Inn RV Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 Monster Energy Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Josh Berry, driver of the #21 eero Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Austin Hill, driver of the #33 BANK OZK Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: William Byron, driver of the #24 HP Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts / CHOA Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Freebird Spring Water Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 SuperFile Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Crew chief Cliff Daniels (L) and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, talk on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, laughs on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, lead the field on a pace lap prior to he NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, leads the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) (Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)1 / 26
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) (Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Clemco Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Campers Inn RV Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 Monster Energy Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Josh Berry, driver of the #21 eero Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Austin Hill, driver of the #33 BANK OZK Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: William Byron, driver of the #24 HP Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts / CHOA Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Freebird Spring Water Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 SuperFile Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Crew chief Cliff Daniels (L) and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, talk on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, laughs on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, lead the field on a pace lap prior to he NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, leads the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
The wild finish came after a more than three-hour rain delay that led to the race finishing just before 1 a.m. CT.