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During the intense XFINITY 500 race at Martinsville Speedway, Shane van Gisbergen received a notable message from Chevrolet regarding Ryan Blaney. While battling Blaney, van Gisbergen was reminded over the radio of something the Team Penske driver did on Lap 345, fueling an ongoing controversy over race manipulation. The stakes were high, as this race determined the final spots for the Championship 4. Among the six drivers vying for these positions, William Byron and Blaney ultimately secured their tickets to the Phoenix championship race.
Controversy erupted late in the race, particularly after Christopher Bell executed a wall ride on the final lap and allegations surfaced against both Chevrolet and Toyota. Chevrolet drivers Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon faced scrutiny for seemingly supporting Byron by maintaining positions that hindered rivals from overtaking. Similarly, Toyota raised eyebrows when Bubba Wallace slowed down, allowing his teammate Bell to make a key pass.
A revealing clip from van Gisbergen’s radio communications emerged amid the turmoil, showing Chevrolet reminding him of Blaney’s earlier actions, potentially signaling a call for payback. The message reportedly said, “Don’t forget what the 12 (Ryan Blaney) did to you earlier, alright? … That’s a message from Chevrolet.” This interaction has raised questions about whether OEM teammates are expected to assist each other in crucial elimination races.
The tension between van Gisbergen and Blaney had escalated earlier when Blaney, contending for the lead against Byron in the #24 Chevrolet, made contact with van Gisbergen. This resulted in van Gisbergen’s #16 Chevrolet sliding up the track, ultimately impacting Byron’s car and slowing his momentum. The “message from Chevrolet” has since prompted discussions around possible teamwork strategies to support Byron’s playoff run.
In the end, Blaney overcame significant challenges to secure the win. Despite initially trailing Championship 4 contenders Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson after a Lap 414 restart, he climbed to fifth on Lap 434, overtook Byron on Lap 454, and passed Larson on Lap 477 for second place. Blaney’s persistence paid off as he led the final lap, capturing a comfortable victory by 2.593 seconds—his third win of the season and first in the playoffs.
Reflecting on his exhausting but victorious run, Blaney expressed gratitude for his team’s efforts in refining his car. Looking ahead, he has a chance to make history; if he wins at Phoenix, he could become the first driver in the current playoff format to secure back-to-back Cup Series titles.