NASCAR’s Joey Gase made headlines during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Richmond Raceway when he expressed his frustration in a rather unconventional manner.
After a crash, Gase was visibly furious, seen hurling his entire rear bumper at another driver.
The incident unfolded on Lap 171 as Gase battled to be the first car one lap down. Dawson Cram’s contact with Gase’s No. 35 Chevrolet sent him spinning into the outside wall.
Gase’s Unconventional Response To Collision
In a fit of rage, Gase ripped off his battered bumper and flung it directly into the windshield of Cram’s car as it circulated by under caution.
NASCAR wasted no time in sharing the moment on social media with the caption: “Frustration can manifest in a lot of different ways.” Gase’s actions certainly caught the attention of fans and officials alike.
Watch the video below.
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Gase Speaks Out On Incident
In a post-race interview on FS1, Gase made his feelings toward Cram abundantly clear. He attributed the clash to Cram’s lack of composure and took a jab at Cram’s car owner, Johnny Davis, suggesting that “he doesn’t have his head screwed on right.”
“You know I gave the kid his first opportunity ever in Xfinity, and I know [team owner] Johnny Davis is in the business of wrecking race cars, and we’re definitely not. We’re a small team and racing hard for the lucky dog, and apparently, he just didn’t know how to lift. Maybe his throttle stuck, I don’t know.”
Thanks @dawsoncram41 , hope you appreciate your souvenir pic.twitter.com/RryAHA6nFA
— Joey Gase Racing (@JoeyGaseRacing) March 30, 2024
NASCAR To Review
Despite the dramatic outburst, NASCAR has yet to announce any potential consequences for Gase’s actions. According to reports, they plan to “have a conversation with him about it,” but whether he’ll face any punishment remains uncertain.
NASCAR confirmed they will review Joey Gase's bumper cover throw this week and plan to have a conversation with him about it.
Xfinity Rulebook Section 8.3.5. is relevant here. It specifies what a driver can/can't do after they get out of the car following an incident. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/IPovirqjVB
— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) March 30, 2024
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This incident adds another layer to the already complex relationship between Gase and Cram. Interestingly, Cram had previously driven one of Gase’s cars at Darlington in 2022, adding a personal dimension to their on-track rivalry.
In the end, Gase’s message was loud and clear, but it didn’t change the outcome for either driver. Cram finished two laps down in 25th place, while Chandler Smith claimed victory in a dominant performance for Toyota drivers, with Aric Almirola, Taylor Gray, and Corey Heim securing the remaining top spots.