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Wallace accepts blame for last-lap Talladega NASCAR Cup pileup

Bubba Wallace admitted that his aggressive blocking tactics on the final lap of Sunday's NASCAR Cup race at Talladega caused the ensuing multi-car pileup that presented victory to Kyle Busch.

Wallace was leading at the start of the final lap of overtime Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, when Ryan Blaney's Penske Ford got a strong run entering Turn 1 and attempted to pass.

Blaney went low and high and was blocked both times by Wallace’s 23XI Toyota. On the third block attempt, Blaney had seen enough and made contact with Wallace who was sent up the track and into the wall.

The incident collected several other cars and NASCAR was forced to throw the caution, which froze the positions of the cars. Busch was ahead of Blaney on the track at the time and was declared the winner, while Wallace was credited with a 28-place finish.

After Wallace drove his damaged car back to pit road, he was seen throwing his HANS device in disgust. However, when interviewed later at the infield care center, Wallace took responsibility for the last-lap wreck.

“I just got dumped by (Blaney),” he said when asked what happened.

“I threw a late block – close, close block. Not (Blaney’s) fault. I honestly thought that he would leave me high and dry going back around.

“Just hate it for the team. It’s just how it goes.

"That was our best – by far – plate race we’ve ever done, so hats off to the #23 group. A great day for us, just a crap result.

"I hate it I caused that one.”

Source: Autosport

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