“Stop crashing s***,” Bubba Wallace reveals Kevin Harvick’s career-changing advice while urging NASCAR to let Cup drivers race more in Truck and Xfinity Series

The lack of respect while racing in NASCAR among the current generation has been a huge debating point lately.

“Stop crashing s***,” Bubba Wallace reveals Kevin Harvick’s career-changing advice while urging NASCAR to let Cup drivers race more in Truck and Xfinity Series

Bubba Wallace and Kevin Harvick (Via IMAGO)

Before introducing the infamous ‘Busch rule,” the NASCAR Cup Series drivers were allowed to race and compete for the titles without restrictions in the Truck and Xfinity Series. This created an environment where the young drivers had to fight with all their might and without respect to prove themselves and be successful.

The senior guys taught the youngsters about racing clean and about respect. The rules change restricted senior Cup drivers with more than five years of full-time experience, from racing in more than five Truck or Xfinity races. While giving more youngsters an opportunity, this came at the cost of valuable lessons they would’ve got going two to two with veterans.

This lack of rattling-the-cage moments involving veterans in the lower divisions has created a situation where a win-at-all-cost mentality has taken center stage, and the racer feels free to crash their rivals instead of racing with respect.  23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace shared his thoughts on the same after the wreck-fest Truck Series Daytona season opener.

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He recalled how having an experienced driver racing him while climbing the ladder helped him and also recalled the time 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick confronted him and asked him to stop crashing. The words from the future Hall of Famer made him reconsider his racing style, and he wants the similar to happen with the generation of drivers. It can only happen if NASCAR lets Cup drives race more on lower divisions.  

Remember when we complained that the Cup guys were ruining the show. Ignoring the fact that some weeks the youngins would beat the Cup guys. Or the fact that if you junked the field and got the Cup guys caught up in it they would yank your ass to the side and tell you to get your [crap] together. And those words would make an impression. Some of the most important words I was told coming up [through]… ‘Stop crashing s***’ [from] Kevin Harvick. Goes back to the respect talk [Kyle Busch] was saying… Not saying Cup guys need an unlimited amount again. But there was a level of respect when those guys were in the field.

Wallace wrote on X.

NASCAR legend Kenny Wallace sides with Bubba Wallace on the issue

Kenny Wallace, NASCAR legend and brother of ex-Cup champion Rusty Wallace, sided with the 23Xi driver on the issue. He said that he believes the Toyota driver is right and that the senior drivers shouldn’t be banned because they are too good.

Kenny Wallace
Kenny Wallace (Via IMAGO)
I agree with all this, Bubba Wallace... Here is why. Getting rid of drivers because they are too good is wrong.
Wallace wrote on X.

Having just five race slots open also seems to discourage experienced drivers from trying their luck in the lower series. If an opportunity to race in a maximum of ten races is given to the Cup racers, they would feel encouraged to attempt more events, and this will also help some young drivers get the spotlight they deserve.

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