Tony Stewart has never been one to shy away from controversy, and his recent comments about Bubba Wallace’s proposed change to NASCAR’s white flag rule have ignited a wildfire of debate across the motorsport community. When asked about Wallace’s growing concerns over the symbolic nature and timing of the white flag—the signal indicating the final lap—Stewart pulled no punches. “Bubba Kaepernick wants to change the white flag rule? Maybe he should try finishing a race before rewriting the rulebook,” Stewart quipped, referencing NFL activist Colin Kaepernick and triggering immediate backlash and support in equal measure.
Wallace, known for his activism as much as his driving, raised eyebrows earlier this week when he suggested that the white flag should be reconsidered due to what he called “outdated symbolism” and its effect on driver mentality during the final lap. In his words, “We’re evolving as a sport. It’s time the rules evolved too.” While Wallace did not explicitly call for the removal of the flag, his remarks hinted at deeper frustrations with how the final lap is communicated and perceived—especially in high-stakes races where tensions flare and crashes often occur.
Tony Stewart’s response was swift and sharp. A three-time Cup Series champion and vocal critic of what he sees as the “softening” of NASCAR, Stewart views any attempt to revise longstanding traditions as a threat to the sport’s identity. His use of “Bubba Kaepernick” was particularly striking, tying Wallace’s call for change to a broader political conversation and prompting fierce reactions online. Some hailed Stewart for “saying what everyone’s thinking,” while others accused him of fanning racial undertones and dismissing legitimate concerns.
The controversy has since spilled beyond the racing track. Fans, analysts, and fellow drivers have taken to social media to pick sides, with hashtags like #WhiteFlagDebate and #StandWithBubba trending on Twitter and Facebook. NASCAR has yet to officially comment on the matter, but insiders say the organization is closely monitoring the fallout. Behind closed doors, there’s talk of a possible statement to clarify the league’s stance on the white flag and whether any rule discussions are truly on the table.
This isn’t the first time Wallace has found himself in the middle of NASCAR’s cultural evolution. From his push to ban the Confederate flag at races to his outspoken advocacy for social change, Wallace has often been at odds with the sport’s more traditionalist voices. Stewart, meanwhile, has long represented the “old guard”—a no-nonsense, pedal-to-the-metal attitude that sees tradition as something to be preserved, not questioned.
Yet even those who disagree with Stewart’s tone acknowledge that his comments have reignited necessary conversations about how NASCAR handles change, symbolism, and communication. Some drivers have come out in support of Wallace, noting that safety and clarity should always be the priority, while others quietly back Stewart’s call to “leave the flag alone.”
With the next Cup Series race looming, the tension is likely to spill onto the track. All eyes will be on Bubba Wallace—not just for how he drives, but how he responds. And with Tony Stewart continuing to shape the narrative from the sidelines, one thing is certain: NASCAR’s white flag may still signal the final lap, but the race to define the sport’s future is far from over.
