AUDIO LEAKED: NASCAR Ordered Phantom Caution to Help Bubba Wallace Win Chicago
In a stunning turn of events that has rocked the motorsports world, a leaked audio recording allegedly from NASCAR’s race control booth has surfaced, suggesting that officials deliberately issued a phantom caution during Sunday’s Chicago Street Race to benefit driver Bubba Wallace.
The audio, posted anonymously to an online racing forum late Sunday evening, appears to capture a conversation between NASCAR officials moments before a controversial caution flag on Lap 78 — a move that ultimately shifted the momentum in Wallace’s favor.
“Drop a phantom. Full course yellow. Now.”
Those words, allegedly spoken by a senior official in the control booth, were followed by an unexplained caution for “debris in Turn 4,” despite no visible evidence of any obstruction on the track. Cameras and broadcasters were unable to identify the reported debris, leading fans and analysts to immediately question the legitimacy of the call.
Wallace, running second at the time behind Martin Truex Jr., took full advantage of the caution. On the restart, he made an aggressive move to the inside and surged ahead to claim his second win of the 2025 season.
Fan Outrage and Industry Reactions
The fallout was immediate. Social media erupted with accusations of race manipulation, with many fans calling the event “rigged” and “a black eye for the sport.”
“There was no debris. None. I watched every feed,” tweeted racing analyst Emily Rivera. “This wasn’t bad officiating — this was scripted.”
Truex’s radio captured the veteran driver’s disbelief in real-time: “What debris?! They just handed him the win!”
NASCAR Responds
In a brief statement Monday morning, NASCAR stated the caution was issued “out of an abundance of caution due to a potential object spotted near the racing line.” No video evidence has yet been provided to support the claim.
When asked about the leaked audio, a spokesperson for NASCAR said, “We are aware of the circulating recording and are actively investigating its origin and authenticity.”
Wallace Stays Focused
Bubba Wallace, a polarizing but popular figure in NASCAR, declined to comment directly on the controversy, saying only, “I drive the car. That’s my job. Everything else is noise.”
While Wallace celebrated with his team Sunday night, the win is now overshadowed by swirling controversy and growing calls for NASCAR to release full race control communications for transparency.
A Bigger Agenda?
Some insiders believe the decision may have been influenced by broader business interests. With the Chicago Street Race positioned as a marquee urban event aimed at attracting new demographics to the sport, marketing Wallace — one of NASCAR’s most marketable and socially conscious drivers — may have been a calculated move.
“This was bigger than racing,” said an anonymous crew chief. “It was about headlines.”
As the investigation unfolds, many in the racing world fear this incident could erode public trust in a sport still working to expand its reach and redefine its image.
For now, the Chicago Street Race will be remembered not for its high-speed drama, but for the audio that could change NASCAR forever.
