The 2024 NASCAR season’s final playoff elimination race at Martinsville Speedway was marred by controversy involving manufacturer interference. A tight battle for the final championship spot ensued between William Byron (Chevrolet) and Christopher Bell (Toyota), separated by just one point.
In the race’s closing laps, Chevrolet drivers Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain lined up behind Byron, who was struggling on worn tires. Despite being faster, they chose not to overtake him. Radio communications from Dillon’s team revealed their strategy: “If we pass him, he’ll be out.” They also ensured that Chastain’s team understood the plan.
Meanwhile, Toyota was working to aid Bell’s chances. Bubba Wallace significantly slowed down in the race’s final laps, citing a potential tire issue over the radio. On the last lap, this allowed Bell to pass Wallace and secure enough points to advance.
However, NASCAR intervened, penalizing Bell for riding the wall on the final lap, a clear rules violation. As a result, Bell was removed from the championship finale, and Byron reclaimed the spot. NASCAR also conducted a post-race inspection of Wallace’s car, likely seeking evidence of a legitimate mechanical failure.
Penalties Issued
Midweek, NASCAR handed down penalties for race manipulation. Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and Bubba Wallace were each fined $100,000.
Joey Logano, speaking on the Happy Hour Podcast, supported NASCAR’s actions:
“If you let that go, it’ll only get worse. NASCAR had to act.” He noted that Bell’s penalty was straightforward due to the black-and-white nature of the wall-riding rule. For the Chevrolet drivers, incriminating radio communications made NASCAR’s decision easier. Logano also emphasized the need for action to maintain NASCAR’s identity, contrasting it with Formula 1’s controversies.
Manufacturer Interference Persists
The drama continued the following week at Phoenix Raceway during championship weekend. Logano recounted aggressive on-track behavior during practice, suggesting manufacturers were still influencing race dynamics, albeit covertly.
Logano also revealed that NASCAR issued a stern warning to teams before the championship race, threatening disqualification from the 2025 Daytona 500 for any race manipulation. While no incidents occurred during the finale, Logano acknowledged the challenges posed by the playoff system, where manufacturer interests can pressure teams to prioritize loyalty over fairness.
New Rules for 2025
To address these issues, NASCAR announced plans to introduce a rule in 2025 allowing fines against manufacturers involved in race manipulation. NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell expressed frustration over the Martinsville incident, promising stricter enforcement to protect the sport’s integrity.
“What I saw in Martinsville pissed me off,” O’Donnell stated. “We know what happened, and we won’t allow it to challenge the integrity of the sport.” He confirmed that NASCAR will hold all parties accountable—drivers, teams, and manufacturers—in future incidents.
