Bubba Wallace loses sponsorship after rage-quitting during NASCAR iRacing event
As the NASCAR season remains suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, the company and its drivers are trying to keep fans engaged and entertained through virtual means. We're now three weeks into the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, which essentially features a bunch of NASCAR drivers racing one another in a video game simulation, and we found out Sunday that these races can still drum up drama and controversy.
Bubba Wallace was one of the 32 drivers competing in the Food City Showdown at a virtual Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday and he undoubtedly had the worst day of anyone in the field. Not only did Wallace wreck during the 11th lap of the 150-lap race but he was so peeved by it that he wound up "rage-quitting" -- a popular gamer term for a player who gets so angry that they prematurely bow out of the competition.
Wallace was involved in a messy sequence with Clint Bowyer early in the race when Bowyer cut in front of Wallace's car on a straightaway, then came up high and put Wallace into the wall.
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 5, 2020
"Y'all have a good one. That's it. This is why I don't take this [expletive] serious," said Wallace on his Twitch stream immediately after the wreck. "Peace out!"
You can see the sequence from Wallace's POV (as well as his reaction) below. (Warning: NSFW language in the clip.)
— Davin (@DriveThrough_) April 5, 2020
Unfortunately, one of Wallace's sponsors -- joint/muscle cream Blue-Emu -- didn't take too kindly to his flippant attitude and decided to pull their sponsorship.
Bahaha I'm dying at my mentions right now...— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) April 5, 2020
I ruined so many peoples day by quiting..a video game..
Bahaha. A video game. Damn quarantine life is rough😂😂😂
Editor Note: From one month of raging with a bad attitude to removing Confederate Flag and introducing a "Black Lives Matter" car. NASCAR has gone political.
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CBS Sports