ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Bubba Wallace says the pointed criticism he made toward members of his crew last weekend were a result of his passion to win and shouldn’t harm his relationship with them.

“We have a team capable of winning, cars capable of winning,” Wallace said as he prepared for the NASCAR Cup Series race Sunday at Road America. “That just creates passion.”

That passion was on display last weekend at Nashville.

Wallace was in sixth place when a loose wheel during a pit stop sent him toward the back of the pack and caused him to curse at his crew. The issue caused him to restart in 31st place before he eventually finished 12th.

The 23XI Racing driver was eager to put the incident in the past Saturday. He said one of his passions was “making it feel like we’re one team and family.”

Wallace will be starting in the 25th position Sunday as the Cup Series comes to Road America for the second straight Fourth of July weekend. Points leader Chase Elliott won at Road America last year and has the pole position this time.

Wallace said his crew members understand the types of comments that can be made in the heat of competition. He said he has a great relationship with crew chief Bootie Barker, who tried to calm him down in Nashville.

“The team still has a great relationship,” Wallace said. “Not everybody’s going to be happy in a sport like this and a business like this. Just got to work to do your best. I’ll do better and be better.”

Wallace had his second runner-up finish in the Daytona 500 this year but has only one other top-10 result and is 24th in the points standings. The Nashville situation wasn’t the first time this season he has been hindered by a loose wheel.

He was asked Saturday if he had any regrets about his Sunday comments.

“I don’t really have much regrets in life,” Wallace said. “I said what I said. If I say I’m sorry, is that going to make anything better? People are still (ticked). It is what it is. Move on. I’ve moved on.”

Elliott won at Road America last year despite starting 34th. Seven of his 15 career victories have come on road courses. A victory Sunday would tie Elliott with Tony Stewart for second place with eight career road course victories. Jeff Gordon had a record nine wins on road courses.

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