3 controversial NASCAR wins at Talladega, ft. Bubba Wallace in 2021

NASCAR is just over a day ahead of hosting this year's YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Fans are eager to watch how the race plays out, given that it is the second-last race of the Round of 12.

The Talladega Superspeedway has always been an unpredictable track, and the speed and the competition that it brings out of the drivers is perhaps unmatched. Furthermore, the track has witnessed several nerve-chilling wrecks over the years as well, which only adds to its notoriety.

Therefore, winning at Talladega through overkill is rare. Team Penske driver and reigning Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney won the last race at the 2.66-mile tri-oval superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama by a 0.012-second margin over Kevin Harvick in a thrilling photo finish. However, there have been times when victories didn't come as clean at the iconic racetrack.

On that note, let's take a look at three controversial wins at the Talladega Superspeedway.

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1. Bubba Wallace, 2021

Bubba Wallace at Watkins Glen International (Source: Imagn)

Bubba Wallace made history in 2021 by becoming the second black driver to win a Cup Series race, the first being Hall of Famer Wendell Scott, who won his sole Cup Series (then known as Grand National Series) race back in 1963. However, the win, which came in Wallace's 143rd Cup start, was controversial due to the way the race ended.

The 188-lap race, which was already postponed from Sunday, had to be called short by the officials after running 117 laps due to rain. Wallace was the race leader at the time. For many, the way the race ended seemed unfair.

It was Wallace's first Cup Series win as well as 23XI Racing's first victory in the series in the latter's rookie season. Furthermore, it was also the first win for McDonald's (Wallace's sponsor) in over 25 years.

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2. Joey Logano, 2015

Joey Logano during driver introductions at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Source: Imagn)

Two-time Cup Series champion, Joey Logano advanced to the third round of the playoffs by winning the 2015 CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, but at Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s expense. Dale Jr., who got chucked out of the second round of the playoffs for the second straight year, finished runner-up.

NASCAR called the race under caution, brought out by a multi-car incident triggered by former NASCAR driver, Kevin Harvick on the final restart.

NASCAR said that there would be just one attempt to end a race under green flag conditions. Therefore, the field was frozen following the wreck, which allowed Logano to win.

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 2003

Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Bristol Motor Speedway for the 2024 Food City 300 (Source: Imagn)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. himself lodged a controversial win in the 2003 Aaron's 499. With two laps to go, Junior veered to the bottom lane and passed Matt Kenseth. However, in an attempt to do so, he crossed the yellow line that runs along the bottom of the track.

According to the NASCAR rulebook, passing one's opponents by crossing the yellow line at Daytona and Talladega is illegal. The usual penalty would be to black flag the driver and send him back to the pit road. However, Dale Earnhardt Jr. got to keep his victory.

Although NASCAR president, Mike Helton kept mum on the topic, NASCAR executive Jim Hunter said during a post-race interview (via Go Upstate):

"It was a judgment call. In our opinion, there was no question he went below the line. He did not go below the line to improve his position. He had already passed (Kenseth). We based our opinion on tapes viewed in the (control) tower at the time and after the race."

Meanwhile, NASCAR prepares for its upcoming race at the famed racetrack. Actions will begin from 2 PM ET onwards (October 6). Fans can watch the 188-lap event live on NBC or listen to radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.