Kyle Petty SLAMS ‘mentally fragile’ Bubba Wallace for refusing to give interviews to media ahead of Daytona
Bubba Wallace qualified last for the playoffs with 2000 points.
Bubba Wallace and Kyle Petty (Via IMAGO)
Bubba Wallace narrowly qualified for the playoffs for the first time in his NASCAR Cup Series career in Daytona. With zero wins and four top-five finishes, he was the last name on the playoffs list, as he qualified on points. Before the race on Sunday, Wallace must have been feeling extreme pressure as he refused to talk to the media in the pre-race show. Former NASCAR driver-turned-analyst Kyle Petty fired some pretty heavy shots at the 29-year-old and called him ‘mentally fragile’.
Petty called Wallace’s refusal to give interviews unacceptable to the fans and the sport. He claimed that the drivers are paid for this, and it is their duty to carry out their PR and marketing duties, not just racing. Petty went so far as to say that if Wallace is mentally weak, he does not belong in NASCAR.
“For professional athletes to refuse interviews is unacceptable in any game… That’s what they pay you the money for. And it’s that stupid saying — that’s why you make the big bucks, dude. You got to handle it. Put it on your shoulders and carry it. If mentally he is that fragile, then maybe this is not the game for him,” Petty told NBC Sports (H&T: Sportscasting).
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Kyle Petty backs off after a brutal statement about Bubba Wallace
Kyle Petty barraging Bubba Wallace for his refusal to give interviews saw him catch a lot of heat. His over-the-line comments about Wallace’s mental weakness and his place in the sport were seen as out of business, which Petty soon realized as he immediately tried to douse the fire.
Petty claimed that Wallace’s inexperience might have been a factor in him declining the interviews, and he deserves the benefit of the doubt in this situation. However, Petty held his ground on refusing interviews as he said that denying to talk to the media is a slap in the face to the fans and the press alike.
“I think Bubba gets stronger and being in these positions will make him stronger mentally. Once you get that experience and once you’ve been there I think you learn and he gets stronger. It’s trial by fire. But I think at this point in time, I give him a little bit of the benefit of the doubt,” said Petty.
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Soham Jain
(222 Articles Published)