In a move that sent shockwaves through the NASCAR world, the sanctioning body issued hefty fines and suspensions to nine team members from three different teams on Tuesday, citing alleged race manipulation at the Martinsville Speedway, The Associated Press reports.
The penalties come just days before the championship-deciding season finale at Phoenix Raceway, adding another layer of drama to the already high-stakes event.
The controversy erupted after Christopher Bell was initially deemed qualified for the championship final four, only to be disqualified for violating a banned safety rule by hitting the wall to gain momentum. This move ultimately handed the final spot to William Byron.
NASCAR, however, made it clear that they would scrutinize the actions of other drivers involved in the chaotic final laps, leading to the penalties announced Tuesday.
The drivers penalized for their alleged roles in the manipulation were:
• Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing) – $100,000 fine, 1-race suspension for team executives, crew chief, and spotter, 50-point penalty for the team.
• Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing) – $100,000 fine, 1-race suspension for team executives, crew chief, and spotter, 50-point penalty for the team.
• Bubba Wallace (23XI) – $100,000 fine, 1-race suspension for team executives, crew chief, and spotter, 50-point penalty for the team.
NASCAR determined that Wallace, driving for Toyota, faked a flat tire to give Bell the opportunity to hit the wall. Meanwhile, Chastain and Dillon, both driving for Chevrolet, were found to have interfered to help Byron maintain his position.
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Competition, expressed that the punished drivers were fortunate to escape suspension, hinting at the severity of the situation.
The sanctioning body also revealed that they considered taking action against the manufacturers Chevrolet and Toyota, but ultimately concluded that there was no rule justifying such punishment. Nonetheless, NASCAR plans to meet with representatives from Ford, Chevy, and Toyota to discuss the issue of manufacturer alliances and race manipulation.
The penalties have sparked immediate reactions from the affected teams. Both Trackhouse Racing and 23XI Racing have announced plans to appeal the decisions.
While NASCAR hopes that the penalties will deter future manipulation, concerns remain about the prevalence of such tactics in races like Daytona and Talladega, where manufacturers often collaborate in the draft and during pit stops.
