Bubba Wallace reflects on NASCAR’s fighting penalties, suggests possible improvements

Just days after Cup Series drivers Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain got into a post-race confrontation following the Pennzoil 400, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the latest to call attention to the fight in NASCAR and the rulemaking that fines drivers when it happens.

Speaking to Frontstretch.com’s Dalton Hopkins ahead of Saturday’s Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway, Wallace shared his perspective on whether NASCAR should allow drivers to contend again.

Reality: NASCAR Cup Series debut at Darlington, see where Bubba Wallace starts

“I don’t think so. When you go wrong… I blame my father, but I also respect him for how he was, he was an eye for an eye, okay? When you’re disrespected, it’s a fine line to be a better person or make sure they don’t do it again. … There’s got to be a fine line because it’s going to happen.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace on whether he should be fined for fighting other drivers (H/T Dalton Hopkins of Frontstretch.com)

Last Sunday, Suárez got out of his car and came to confront Chastain on pit road. Moments later, bystanders pushed Chastain away before coming between the two drivers to prevent the incident from escalating. A few days later, Suárez said that he would have fought Chastain if he had not received a fine from NASCAR and the impact the fight could have on sponsors’ interest.

There hasn’t been a fight between NASCAR Cup Series drivers since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. attacked Kyle Busch after the 2024 All-Star Race. Just days after the brawl, NASCAR announced that Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 and two crew members were also suspended for their roles in the brawl.

RELATED: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, Bubba Wallace Among Stage State Leaders

The great irony, as Chase Elliott later pointed out, was that NASCAR gave Stenhouse the largest fine ever for the fight, but the video was also used in marketing, to generate engagement on social media and it brought more attention to the sport that many company executives wanted.

Speaking to Hopkins, Wallace proposed something that would give fans, drivers and NASCAR what it wants, while also ensuring that no one gets seriously injured. Adopting something along the lines of hockey rules could help drivers deal with what is perceived as persistent disrespect by a co-worker and prevent things from getting worse.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings, Bubba Wallace in top 10 before Darlington

“I think that’s fair but, we’ve always talked about hockey rules. Go on the field and then you can stop it, but there’s got to be a fine line. Because it’s going to happen, you’re going to get disrespected unless it’s behind the scenes and that’s too bad.”

Bubba Wallace on NASCAR’s current rules regarding fighting and the risks of not allowing it

For Wallace, who recently announced he and his wife welcomed their second child on Thursday, a $75,000 fine for settling differences with another driver after a race isn’t fair. If NASCAR ever decides to be a little more lenient in its penalties for fighting, while keeping personnel on the front lines to avoid actual brawls or significant injuries, maybe it could work out for everyone in the long run.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin praises Bubba Wallace’s improvement

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Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

#Bubba #Wallace #reflects #NASCARs #fighting #penalties #suggests #improvements

Bubba Wallace reflects on NASCAR’s fighting penalties, suggests possible improvements

Just days after Cup Series drivers Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain got into a post-race confrontation following the Pennzoil 400, 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace became the latest to call attention to the fight in NASCAR and the rulemaking that fines drivers when it happens.

Speaking to Frontstretch.com’s Dalton Hopkins ahead of Saturday’s Cup Series practice and qualifying session at Darlington Raceway, Wallace shared his perspective on whether NASCAR should allow drivers to contend again.

Reality: NASCAR Cup Series debut at Darlington, see where Bubba Wallace starts

“I don’t think so. When you go wrong… I blame my father, but I also respect him for how he was, he was an eye for an eye, okay? When you’re disrespected, it’s a fine line to be a better person or make sure they don’t do it again. … There’s got to be a fine line because it’s going to happen.”

NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace on whether he should be fined for fighting other drivers (H/T Dalton Hopkins of Frontstretch.com)

Last Sunday, Suárez got out of his car and came to confront Chastain on pit road. Moments later, bystanders pushed Chastain away before coming between the two drivers to prevent the incident from escalating. A few days later, Suárez said that he would have fought Chastain if he had not received a fine from NASCAR and the impact the fight could have on sponsors’ interest.

There hasn’t been a fight between NASCAR Cup Series drivers since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. attacked Kyle Busch after the 2024 All-Star Race. Just days after the brawl, NASCAR announced that Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 and two crew members were also suspended for their roles in the brawl.

RELATED: NASCAR Stage Winners 2026, Bubba Wallace Among Stage State Leaders

The great irony, as Chase Elliott later pointed out, was that NASCAR gave Stenhouse the largest fine ever for the fight, but the video was also used in marketing, to generate engagement on social media and it brought more attention to the sport that many company executives wanted.

Speaking to Hopkins, Wallace proposed something that would give fans, drivers and NASCAR what it wants, while also ensuring that no one gets seriously injured. Adopting something along the lines of hockey rules could help drivers deal with what is perceived as persistent disrespect by a co-worker and prevent things from getting worse.

RELATED: NASCAR Power Rankings, Bubba Wallace in top 10 before Darlington

“I think that’s fair but, we’ve always talked about hockey rules. Go on the field and then you can stop it, but there’s got to be a fine line. Because it’s going to happen, you’re going to get disrespected unless it’s behind the scenes and that’s too bad.”

Bubba Wallace on NASCAR’s current rules regarding fighting and the risks of not allowing it

For Wallace, who recently announced he and his wife welcomed their second child on Thursday, a $75,000 fine for settling differences with another driver after a race isn’t fair. If NASCAR ever decides to be a little more lenient in its penalties for fighting, while keeping personnel on the front lines to avoid actual brawls or significant injuries, maybe it could work out for everyone in the long run.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin praises Bubba Wallace’s improvement

Avatar
Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

#Bubba #Wallace #reflects #NASCARs #fighting #penalties #suggests #improvements

Top 5 Dangerous Illegal Hockey Plays & Penalties Explained (Episode 5)


Top 5 Dangerous Illegal Hockey Plays & Penalties Explained (Episode 5)

Ice hockey and field hockey are sports renowned for their speed, intensity, and physical grit. However, there is a fine line between aggressive gameplay and dangerous conduct. In this edition of our series, we dive deep into Episode 5: The Top 5 Dangerous Illegal Hockey Plays, breaking down why these moves are banned and how they impact the game.

For Indian fans and aspiring athletes—whether you’re following the NHL or playing in the Hockey India League—understanding these penalties is crucial for player safety and tactical discipline.

1. Boarding: The Danger of Velocity

Boarding is one of the most feared penalties in ice hockey. It occurs when a player pushes, trips, or hits a defenseless opponent into the boards with excessive force. Because the victim often cannot see the hit coming, the risk of concussions, neck injuries, and spinal trauma is high.

The Penalty: Depending on the intensity, boarding can result in a minor (2 mins) or major penalty (5 mins), often leading to a game misconduct if injury occurs.

2. Spearing: Using the Stick as a Weapon

Spearing is a highly unsportsmanlike move where a player stabs an opponent with the blade of their stick. This is viewed as a “malice” foul because it has no place in the flow of the game and is intended solely to cause pain or injury.

The Penalty: High-level officiating usually commands a double-minor or a major penalty, often accompanied by a fine or suspension in professional leagues.

3. High-Sticking (Dangerous Play)

In both field hockey and ice hockey, the stick must be kept below a certain height. In field hockey (popular in India), raising the stick above the shoulder during a tackle or a hit in a crowded area is flagged as a “dangerous play.” In ice hockey, any contact made with an opponent above the shoulders with the stick results in a whistle.

The Penalty: In field hockey, this results in a free hit for the opposition or a green/yellow card. In ice hockey, it’s an automatic 2-minute minor, or 4 minutes if blood is drawn.

4. Charging: The Illegal Run-up

Charging occurs when a player takes more than three strides to build momentum before checking an opponent, or when a player leaves their feet (jumps) to deliver a hit. The goal is to prevent players from turning themselves into “human missiles,” which causes devastating high-speed collisions.

The Penalty: A minor or major penalty based on the severity of the impact.

5. Slew-Footing: The Invisible Trip

Slew-footing is a deceptive and dangerous move where a player uses their foot to knock an opponent’s skates/feet out from under them while simultaneously pushing the opponent’s upper body backward. This causes the victim to fall violently onto the back of their head or tailbone.

The Penalty: Due to the high risk of head injury, slew-footing often results in an automatic match penalty and potential league suspension.

Conclusion

Safety is the foundation of any great sport. While the physicality of hockey makes it exciting to watch, these five illegal plays—Boarding, Spearing, High-Sticking, Charging, and Slew-Footing—are banned to protect the longevity of the athletes. For players in India, mastering the technical skills of the game without resorting to these dangerous tactics is the mark of a true sportsman.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is body checking allowed in Indian Field Hockey?

No. While ice hockey allows body checking in certain leagues, field hockey is a non-contact sport. Any intentional physical pushing or “shoulder-charging” is considered a foul in field hockey.

2. What is the most dangerous penalty in hockey?

Most experts consider Slew-footing and Spearing to be the most dangerous, as they involve deceptive movements that often lead to head injuries or internal trauma.

3. Can a “clean hit” become a boarding penalty?

Yes. If the player being hit is in a “vulnerable position” (e.g., facing the boards with their back turned), even a standard hit can be ruled as boarding because the risk of injury is significantly higher.

4. What happens if a player gets a “Major Penalty”?

In a major penalty (usually 5 minutes), the player must stay in the penalty box for the full duration, even if the opposing team scores multiple goals.

Big thanks to Nags & Tom for joining me for episode #5 of ILLEGAL HOCKEY PLAYS! In this episode we cover 14 more plays you may not know are illegal.

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