NASCAR has issued penalties stemming from events during the closing laps at the Martinsville NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs race.
The Chevrolet teams of Ross Chastain’s and Austin Dillon’s cars were found to have colluded to form a rolling block to help fellow Chevy driver William Byron hold his position to stay ahead of Christopher Bell in the points standings and qualify for the Championship 4.
Meanwhile, Bubba Wallace, who drives a Toyota for 23XI Racing slowed on the last lap to give a position to the Toyota of Joe Gibbs Racing’s Bell.
Bell’s subsequent wall ride earned him a safety violation during the race that knocked him from 18th to 22nd place and out of the final, but an investigation into the actions of the other teams continued into the following days.
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After a review of radio transmissions and data, NASCAR determined that the three teams violated sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book, which include race manipulation and actions detrimental to stock car racing.
The drivers were each docked 50 driver’s points and fined $100,000 and their owners the same, but they will be allowed to compete in the finale.
Their crew chiefs and spotters were all suspended for the championship race, however, along with an executive from each team.
Dillon’s Richard Childress Racing, Chastain’s Trackhouse Racing and 23XI Racing all said that they will appeal the decisions.
Xfinity Series driver Chandler Smith was also fined $10,000 for hitting Cole Custer after their Martinsville race in violation of 4.4.D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the rule book, which includes member-to-member confrontations.