This weekend's Coca-Cola 600 has been filled with frustration, most of which has stemmed from the wet weather in Charlotte. Tensions boiled over again Monday during a red flag for rain, placing the spotlight firmly on 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace and Stewart-Haas Racing's Aric Almirola.
The pair got into an altercation while waiting for the go-ahead to get back into their cars. In a grainy video posted to Facebook, Wallace can be seen speaking to Almirola. Wallace appeared to be walking away when the driver of the No. 10 Mustang shoved him. The two had to be separated by a track official, with Wallace appearing to put his finger on Almirola's chest as the pair locked horns.
LIVE: Follow rain-delayed Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte
Here's a snippet of the encounter:
Here's a screen grab from the video. It goes on for another 90 seconds or so of them arguing and walking away while arguing. If I tried to post the whole thing, this crappy internet would take until after the race. pic.twitter.com/Tl0yS5ni37
— Sarah Davis 🏁🤫 Bubba EXtReMiSt | #23in23 edition (@sarahdavisagain) May 29, 2023
Wallace and Almirola don't have too many priors, for what it's worth. In the media center, reporters watched footage of Wallace and Almirola jostling for position under green during the race. Wallace made a hard cut in front of Almirola, possibly making contact.
MORE: NASCAR investigating Bubba Wallace radio incident
Almirola appeared to return the favor, making contact with Wallace just before the race went to caution for rain.
Also, in the media center, they showed this clip as a possible reason for the disagreement. pic.twitter.com/QMR6RJ09rr
— Jared Haas (@RealJaredHaas) May 29, 2023
Contact between Aric Almirola and Bubba Wallace that led to Almirola shoving Wallace. #nascar #nascar75 #cocacola600 pic.twitter.com/lQUWa91CTX
— Jared Haas (@RealJaredHaas) May 29, 2023
Stewart-Haas lent its support to Almirola following the incident, tweeting that Almirola's reaction was unusual given his reputation of being relatively low-key.
It takes A LOT to make Aric that mad…
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) May 29, 2023
Both had their say on the interaction post-race.
For Wallace, it was a disagreement over their racing styles early in the race. Almirola had a different take on the situation, claiming it all started when Wallace flipped him off while going past him.
Bubba Wallace and Aric Almirola on the pit road shove. pic.twitter.com/QxUIq6huQp
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 30, 2023
"When he got by me, he shot me the bird," Almirola said. "I just went to go ask him why he shot me the bird and he started mouthing off and cussing at me. I told him I wasn't going to have that.
"Disappointing but that's him. I know that."