Former Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace has taken to social media to hit out at NASCAR following their controversial Josh Berry call at Kansas Speedway.
Berry’s car faced an untimely demise, triggering Wallace’s vocal criticism. Berry’s car, rendered immobile due to flat tires after a wreck on Lap 1, was consequently marked as a DNF by NASCAR officials.
In recent modifications to the rulebook, NASCAR has altered protocols regarding cars incapacitated by wrecks. Traditionally, cars with flat tires were towed to pit road for tire replacements. However, under the new rules, vehicles that cannot reach pit road under their own power post-collision are deemed non-finishers. Exceptions remain for single-car incidents solely caused by flat tires—these still permit towing.
Wallace did not hold back in his criticism of NASCAR officials over the decision. Via a passionately delivered video, he argued:
SRX driver Kenny Wallace poses for a photo during the Superstar Racing Experience portrait shoot at Clutch Studios on April 25, 2023 in Huntersville, North Carolina. Kenny Wallace hits out at NASCAR after Josh Berry Kansas decision.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
“This is wrong.
“So, I don’t like this because NASCAR designed this car. From day one, I said, ‘they gotta fix it, I don’t like this turtle shell.’ But I figured three years later the car would be fixed. Okay, listen, this is a no-go. This is where the Hermanator don’t like this. It’s like what old Sterling Marlin said years ago, ‘A man oughta be able to spin out every once in a while.'”
The former driver minced no words in his address to NASCAR:
“Come on, alright NASCAR I know you’re watching this. It happened to Joey Logano [Ryan Blaney] he’s got, I mean here’s where you’re putting the drivers, you’re telling the drivers they have to be perfect and they cannot…
“So, I mean you’re telling these drivers they’ve gotta be perfect, that’s really hard to do. You can’t tell the drivers don’t spin out because if your tire’s flat you won’t be able to come back. They got this one wrong. NASCAR got this one wrong.”
Rodney Childers, Berry’s crew chief, shared in Wallace’s frustration, reportedly being visibly upset when Berry relayed the news of their “parked” status. Childers posted to social media:
“I’ve seen a lot of things over my 25 years in the Cup Series, but that’s the most screwed up thing I’ve ever seen or been involved with. All we needed was tires with air in them. And how many times have we drug cars to the pit stall to put tires on them. Why today?!”
I’ve seen a lot of things over my 25 years in the Cup Series, but that’s the most screwed up thing I’ve ever seen or been involved with. All we needed was tires with air in them. And how many times have we drug cars to the pit stall to put tires on them. Why today?!? 😡
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) September 29, 2024
NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 At Kansas Speedway Results
- Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Penske Racing Ford
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
- Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
- Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
- Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
- Joey Logano, No. 22 Penske Racing Ford
- Corey LaJoie, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
- Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
- Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
- Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
- Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
- Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
- Ty Dillon, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
- Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
- Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
- Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
- Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
- Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG-Daughtery Racing Chevrolet
- Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- Kaz Grala, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
- Austin Cindric, No. 2 Penske Racing Ford
- Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
- JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
- Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
