NASCAR penalized Christopher Bell for his controversial move on the final lap at Martinsville, which resulted in his elimination from the Cup Series Championship Race. After Bell passed Bubba Wallace and made contact with the outside wall, he finished ahead of William Byron, securing a spot in the Championship 4. However, NASCAR reviewed the maneuver and deemed it a “safety violation.” As a result, Bell was penalized and dropped from 18th to 22nd place, effectively ending his chance to compete for the title.
Joe Gibbs, Bell’s team owner, expressed his frustration with the decision. Speaking to reporters after the race, Gibbs revealed that NASCAR told him there was no possibility of appealing the ruling. He described the decision as emotional, adding that he was still processing the outcome. The penalty marked a disappointing end to what had been a strong playoff run for Joe Gibbs Racing, with all four of its drivers having reached the postseason.
Bell, meanwhile, defended his actions, explaining that his wall contact was a result of getting loose entering the corner, not an intentional move like Ross Chastain’s famous wall-riding maneuver from a previous race. He acknowledged NASCAR’s intention behind the rule but felt his situation was different. Bell also expressed disappointment in other drivers, particularly Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain, whom he accused of manipulating the race by blocking others.
The penalty meant that none of Joe Gibbs Racing’s four drivers—Bell, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., and Ty Gibbs—would compete in the Championship 4. Hamlin and Truex had already been eliminated earlier in the playoffs, leaving Bell as the final contender from the team. The playoffs now come down to the final four: Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Ryan Blaney, who won the Martinsville race and is the defending champion.
The Championship 4 race will take place at Phoenix Raceway on November 10 at 3 p.m. ET, where the remaining drivers will battle for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series title. With Joe Gibbs Racing eliminated, the focus shifts to the remaining contenders, including Blaney, who looks to defend his crown, and Byron, Logano, and , all aiming for their first championship
