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NASCAR has taken disciplinary action against the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota driven by Bubba Wallace, the No. 3 Chevrolet of Austin Dillon from Richard Childress Racing, and the No. 1 Chevrolet of Ross Chastain from Trackhouse Racing. These penalties stem from findings of potential race manipulation following an analysis of radio communications during the Martinsville Cup race held on Sunday.
The penalties, which are consistent across all three teams and drivers, include a fine of $100,000, a reduction of 50 driver and owner points, and one-race suspensions for crew chiefs, spotters, and significant team personnel.
A closer look at how the penalties impact each team
For 23XI Racing, key personnel including team executive Dave Rogers, crew chief Bootie Barker, and spotter Freddie Kraft have been suspended. This points deduction results in Bubba Wallace’s drop from 17th to 18th place in the championship standings.
At Trackhouse Racing, team executive Tony Lunders, crew chief Phil Surgen, and spotter Brandon McReynolds will miss the championship finale due to their penalties. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain maintains his position at 19th in the standings.
Richard Childress Racing also faces repercussions, with team executive Keith Rodden, crew chief Justin Alexander, and spotter Brandon Benesch suspended for one race. The points deduction significantly impacts Austin Dillon, causing him to fall from 28th to 33rd position in the driver rankings.
All three teams have indicated plans to appeal the ruling. 23XI Racing issued a statement expressing their belief that they did not engage in any violations during the Martinsville race and intend to contest NASCAR’s decision.
What led to the penalties?
The punishments are a direct result of events during the tense final laps of the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville. As the race neared its conclusion, Christopher Bell found himself a lap down and in a precarious situation, while William Byron, who was in a competitive position but struggling with older tires, was closely trailed by Dillon and Chastain. The proximity of their cars created a scenario where they effectively obstructed other competitors from overtaking Byron.
Notably, during this period, the No. 3 team explicitly questioned Chastain’s team about their understanding of the situation, indicating a clear collaborative strategy. Meanwhile, Wallace, who was well ahead of the pack, voiced his frustration over the radio regarding the need to support a fellow Toyota driver. As pressures mounted for Bell, Wallace slowed down dramatically under the pretense of a tire issue, despite conflicting reports from his spotter confirming that his tires were in good condition. This erratic change in speed allowed Bell to seize the opportunity to make a critical pass.
Ultimately, Bell secured the position necessary to advance to the Championship 4 but only briefly, as NASCAR subsequently penalized him for an inadvertent violation during his attempt to maneuver past Wallace.
Source
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