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SPORTS Tuesday 18 OcTOber 2022
Bubba Wallace ignored his own mantra in Larson conflict

By JENNA FRYER retaliation part and I’m sure
AP Auto Racing Writer he’ll think twice about that
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Bub- next time.”
ba Wallace adopted the Wallace at the minimum
mantra of “Peace. Love. broke a rule by walking on
Understanding.” to push a live track after climbing
back against the negativity out of his crashed car to
and vitriol so often hurled confront Larson. He made
his way. contact with a NASCAR of-
There was nothing peace- ficial, but most replays show
ful or understanding about Wallace was only brushing
Wallace’s skirmish with Kyle an official’s hand away.
Larson at Las Vegas Motor No matter the NASCAR de-
Speedway over the week- cision, this is going to stick
end. Wallace appeared with Wallace for some time.
to deliberately crash the He has never received the
reigning NASCAR cham- benefit of the doubt from
pion in a dangerous retal- NASCAR fans and is often
iatory move Sunday and accused of being unde-
then he tried to fight Larson. serving of his heavily-fund-
Now NASCAR is in a no- ed seat driving for Jordan
win situation as it decides and Denny Hamlin at 23XI
whether Wallace was out Racing. He withstands an
of line. Bubba Wallace, right, pushes Kyle Larson after the two crashed during a NASCAR Cup Series auto enormous amount of hate,
No penalty? That will be race Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Las Vegas. and those very detractors
classified as favoritism and Associated Press will note he’s had previous
maybe even fear of punish- NASCAR to ban the Con- tentionally drill his car in son. Larson believed Wal- outbursts against fellow
ing the star of Michael Jor- federate flag at its races the rear corner, one of the lace was rightfully angry competitors.
dan’s race team, who re- deeply divided fans. most dangerous moves in because he did squeeze For all those same reasons,
mains the only Black driver The false narrative that Wal- NASCAR racing. Wallace’s Wallace into the wall. He maybe Wallace deserves
at the top level of the sport. lace faked a hate crime- hit spun Larson directly wasn’t even upset that a bit of peace and under-
Mild punishment? Cue a after a garage pull in his back into traffic, where he Wallace charged after him standing. He never asked
mind-numbing debate garage stall at Talladega slammed into the door of ti- as Larson tried to get out to be NASCAR’s face of di-
over precedent. was found to be fashioned tle hopeful Christopher Bell. of the way. (“I’m 5’6, 135 versity, and the role kind of
A suspension? That would as a noose still circulates Had he not hit Bell’s car, pounds. I’m not going to fell in his lap in 2020 during
be a strong statement among some fans, though Larson’s trajectory had him get too wound up about a national reckoning of so-
against what NASCAR al- he never saw it and even headed into the wall back- anything” Larson said last cial justice issues.
ready considers taboo the FBI categorized it as a ward in a potential night- year about driver fighting). Yes, Wallace benefited

drivers using their cars as noose. Wallace claims his mare situation: The new Larson does think Wallace greatly from using that
weapons though a driver steering broke when Larson Next Gen car is too stiff in crossed a line in terms of platform, albeit sometimes
suspension in the final three bounced him into the wall the back and drivers are safety. reluctantly. Nonetheless, it
weeks of the season would so he had no control of his absorbing far too much “With everything that’s got him a great job with an
be another massive head- Toyota when he shot down energy when the impact been going on here lately, exciting upstart team and it
ache for a sanctioning the speedway and hooked comes there. Two drivers with head injuries.... I don’t wasn’t just that Jordan was
body currently putting out Larson’s car. are out with concussions, think it’s probably the right now his boss; Wallace even
fires in every corner. Data will show if that’s true. NASCAR has held safety thing to do,” Larson said. gets to drive the No. 23 in
Wallace is one of NASCAR’s It doesn’t pass the eyeball briefings the last two race “I’m sure with everything homage to the NBA great.
most polarizing drivers and test. It looked as if Wallace weekends, and any fix going on, he’ll know that With all that comes a ton of
his successful 2020 push for chased after Larson to in- won’t come until next sea- he made a mistake in the pressure. q

Hornets’ LaMelo Ball unlikely to play in

season opener

By STEVE REED thing today,” Clifford said. bre Jr., Gordon Hayward,
AP Sports Writer “He is doing extra rehab P.J. Washington and Ma-
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — and everything he can, but son Plumlee, Clifford said.
Charlotte Hornets All-Star I would say very doubtful.” When asked about not
point guard LaMelo Ball is Ball was injured in the Hor- having Ball in the lineup,
expected to miss Wednes- nets’ preseason loss to the Clifford joked, “I’m not
day night’s season opener Washington Wizards on sleeping as much. I’m eat-
against the San Antonio Oct. 10 when Anthony Gill ing more.
Spurs with a sprained left stepped on his foot. Ball Usually I have one bag of
ankle. hasn’t practiced or played cough drops. Today I have
Hornets coach Steve Clif- since. had three. Other than
ford said Monday that Ball Clifford said there is no that, everything else is the
is doubtful for the game timetable for Ball’s return. same.” Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is shaken up on a play in
the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game against
and is uncertain if he will If Ball doesn’t play, Terry Ball averaged 20.1 points, the Washington Wizards in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Oct. 10,
make the trip out West. Rozier would start at point 7.6 assists and 6.7 rebounds 2022.
“He wasn’t able to do any- guard alongside Kelly Ou- in his second season.q Associated Press