HMS' Alex Bowman downplays Bubba Wallace's Chicago post-race actions, noting incidents often happen off-camera

Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman confirmed his spot in the 2024 playoffs by driving into the victory lane of the Grant Park 165 event in Chicago, Illinois, on July 7. However, #48 Bowman's triumph wasn't well received by a fellow Cup Series driver, Bubba Wallace.

On the cool-down lap in Chicago, #23 Wallace door-slammed Bowman, retaliating for earlier contact that sent Wallace spinning out on Lap 25. Wallace was penalized $50,000, following an inspection of the 23XI Racing driver's intentional post-race slam.

Here's a look at the Wallace-Bowman incident on the cool-down lap of the Chicago Street race:

However, according to Bowman, such incidents happen off-camera all the time. Speaking with Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass, #48 Bowman downplayed the post-race contact by #23 Wallace, saying it's ultimately NASCAR's call.

He said,

"I don't think my opinion of the whole thing really mattered. I didn't feel like it was anything terrible on my end from where I sat, and I certainly understood why he was mad at me. But it's obviously NASCAR's decision on what they're going to do."

"So, yeah, it's, I feel like stuff like that happens more often than the TV camera probably catches, but, yeah, one of those deals," Bowman added.

Hendrick's Bowman believes he can continue his winning streak as NASCAR gears up for the 21st race of the season at Pocono Raceway.

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"Pocono is a great shot for us to win" - Alex Bowman eyeing 2nd consecutive win on Sunday

Pocono Mountains are set to host the Great American Getaway 400 on Sunday (July 14). Rick Hendrick's driver, Bowman, is set to return to the 'The Tricky Triangle', where he claimed a victory in the #48 Chevy in 2021.

The 31-year-old Bowman is in his seventh full-time season with Hendrick Motorsports. He has accumulated eight wins in his career and is eyeing another in the upcoming race at Pocono Raceway.

In a recent conversation with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Bowman discussed his recent Chicago win and seemed confident for Sunday's race. He said,

"I think it definitely helps on the stress side of things, but... at the same time, I don't think it changes much on how we're trying to operate as a race team. Pocono is a great shot for us to win, we've been... really, really good there in the past. We were really strong there last year, obviously we won there before, so... I'm excited to get there."

"Most of the time, the strategy kind of plays out like a road course with guys trying to get track position and flip stages and do different things," Bowman added.

Clinching the fourth playoff spot for Hendrick Motorsports, Bowman sits 11th in the standings with one win, five top-five finishes, and 11 top-10s in 20 races this season.