“When I saw the headlines after Kansas Speedway, I honestly thought it was some kind of parody. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Winning that race was supposed to be a moment of pride for me, my team, and all the fans who cheer us on week after week. But instead, the spotlight has been shifted by outrageous accusations that have absolutely no basis in reality. And since people are already putting words in my mouth, it’s time I clear the air myself.
Let me be as direct as possible: I have never — not once in my life — made a racist or derogatory comment toward Bubba Wallace, in a locker room or anywhere else. That’s not who I am, that’s not how I was raised, and it’s not how I conduct myself in this sport. Anyone who knows me, who’s raced with me, who’s worked alongside me, knows the respect I have for my fellow drivers, regardless of who they are or where they come from. To suggest otherwise is not only false, it’s insulting.
I get it — rivalries happen in racing. Tempers flare, cars get banged up, and words get exchanged in the heat of competition. That’s part of the sport. But what you don’t do is invent a storyline that damages someone’s character and reputation just to spin a narrative. That crosses a line. When you accuse me of saying things that attack another man’s identity and dignity, you’re not just coming after me as a driver — you’re coming after me as a person. And that, I won’t tolerate.
If Bubba is struggling right now and seeking treatment, I wish him nothing but the best. I mean that sincerely. Nobody wants to see another competitor or colleague go through hard times. But blaming me or dragging my name through the mud isn’t going to solve his problems. Pointing fingers at people who had nothing to do with it is a distraction at best, and at worst it’s a flat-out attempt at defamation.
Let me remind everyone: I’ve built my career on discipline, focus, and respect for this sport. My family name is tied to NASCAR history, and every time I put on that helmet, I carry the weight of that legacy. I don’t take it lightly, and I certainly wouldn’t throw it away by stooping to some of the lowest behavior imaginable. If folks want to paint me as a villain because I won at Kansas and someone else didn’t like the outcome, fine — call me competitive, call me fiery, call me whatever you want on the track. But don’t call me a racist. Don’t call me a coward hiding behind words I never said. That’s not who I am.
So here’s my ‘clap-back,’ plain and simple: if you’ve got proof, bring it. If not, stop spreading lies. The truth is, the only place I let my voice speak loudest is on the track, where my car and my results do all the talking. And after Kansas, my message was pretty clear: I was faster, I was sharper, and I earned that victory. Everything else is just noise.
Going forward, I’m going to keep racing the way I always have — hard, fair, and with respect. And if anybody still wants to come at me with wild stories and false accusations, just know one thing: I don’t back down, I don’t stay silent, and I sure as hell don’t let lies define who I am. The checkered flag at Kansas said enough. The rest of this circus? That’s on you.”> “When I saw the headlines after Kansas Speedway, I honestly thought it was some kind of parody. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. Winning that race was supposed to be a moment of pride for me, my team, and all the fans who cheer us on week after week. But instead, the spotlight has been shifted by outrageous accusations that have absolutely no basis in reality. And since people are already putting words in my mouth, it’s time I clear the air myself.
Let me be as direct as possible: I have never — not once in my life — made a racist or derogatory comment toward Bubba Wallace, in a locker room or anywhere else. That’s not who I am, that’s not how I was raised, and it’s not how I conduct myself in this sport. Anyone who knows me, who’s raced with me, who’s worked alongside me, knows the respect I have for my fellow drivers, regardless of who they are or where they come from. To suggest otherwise is not only false, it’s insulting.
I get it — rivalries happen in racing. Tempers flare, cars get banged up, and words get exchanged in the heat of competition. That’s part of the sport. But what you don’t do is invent a storyline that damages someone’s character and reputation just to spin a narrative. That crosses a line. When you accuse me of saying things that attack another man’s identity and dignity, you’re not just coming after me as a driver — you’re coming after me as a person. And that, I won’t tolerate.
If Bubba is struggling right now and seeking treatment, I wish him nothing but the best. I mean that sincerely. Nobody wants to see another competitor or colleague go through hard times. But blaming me or dragging my name through the mud isn’t going to solve his problems. Pointing fingers at people who had nothing to do with it is a distraction at best, and at worst it’s a flat-out attempt at defamation.
Let me remind everyone: I’ve built my career on discipline, focus, and respect for this sport. My family name is tied to NASCAR history, and every time I put on that helmet, I carry the weight of that legacy. I don’t take it lightly, and I certainly wouldn’t throw it away by stooping to some of the lowest behavior imaginable. If folks want to paint me as a villain because I won at Kansas and someone else didn’t like the outcome, fine — call me competitive, call me fiery, call me whatever you want on the track. But don’t call me a racist. Don’t call me a coward hiding behind words I never said. That’s not who I am.
So here’s my ‘clap-back,’ plain and simple: if you’ve got proof, bring it. If not, stop spreading lies. The truth is, the only place I let my voice speak loudest is on the track, where my car and my results do all the talking. And after Kansas, my message was pretty clear: I was faster, I was sharper, and I earned that victory. Everything else is just noise.
Going forward, I’m going to keep racing the way I always have — hard, fair, and with respect. And if anybody still wants to come at me with wild stories and false accusations, just know one thing: I don’t back down, I don’t stay silent, and I sure as hell don’t let lies define who I am. The checkered flag at Kansas said enough. The rest of this circus? That’s on you.”