The NASCAR community is left polarized after the controversy at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday. Debates, arguments and counter points still rage, dissecting how Christopher Bell was penalized for his alleged wall ride in the final lap; and how Chevrolet drivers Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and William Byron were let off the hook despite clear race manipulation. Kyle Petty presented his perspective in a pointed post on X, addressing both issues succinctly, citing the rules.
Advertisement
In the heated final moments of the race, Bell edged closer to the wall to overtake Bubba Wallace. The move temporarily catapulted him into the final four. NASCAR, later, slapped a penalty on the #20 Toyota driver for this last-gasp effort, relegating him to P22.
The episode mirrored the infamous “Hail Melon” stunt performed by Ross Chastain at Martinsville in 2022, where he leveraged the wall to secure a spot in the Championship 4.
Cutting through the noise the controversy has triggered, Petty shared his views: “I’m not arguing tonight because I don’t feel like dealing with some of you honestly. 1st there is no rule against blocking and manufacturers have been working together for years! (See Daytona and Talladega) 2nd wall ride is against the rules, that’s a fact. Conversation over…”
Petty’s attempt, perhaps, was to put a lid on the debate. However, fans quickly challenged his blunt dismissal, with one retorting, “Blocking for others is race manipulation. Radio audio even confirms. Which is illegal. Hope that helps. Conversation over.”
Blocking for others is race manipulation. Radio audio even confirms. Which is illegal.
Hope that helps.
Conversation over ✌🏼
— andrew 🤙🏼 (@The_Weidmanator) November 3, 2024
The reply resonated with many who believed Petty’s commentary over-simplified the intricacies at play.
Another fan clarified the rules of NASCAR and pointed out, “Does NASCAR not have a 100% effort rule? It’s clear that they weren’t trying to pass on purpose. Textbook manipulation.”
One fan bluntly criticized Petty, remarking, “You’re so full of shit.” Meanwhile, another NASCAR enthusiast delivered a harsh judgment: “Kyle Petty you’re a loser.”
Could NASCAR’s ‘100% effort rule’ be invoked for the final lap maneuvers of Chastain and Dillon?
In 2013, NASCAR introduced a stringent rule following a controversy involving Michael Waltrip Racing, which resulted in a 50-point penalty for the cars that were involved in the action to ensure Martin Truex Jr. made the Chase for the Sprint Cup. The fallout saw Truex eliminated from the Chase.
Additionally, accusations of race manipulation were also levied against Michael Waltrip, Penske Racing, and Front Row Motorsports, who were allegedly skewing the outcome of the Chase decider.
Under the new rule, NASCAR mandated that its competitors must race at “100 percent of their ability with the goal of achieving their best possible finishing position in an event.”
The rule further states that, “Any competitor who takes action with the intent to artificially alter the finishing positions of the event or encourages, persuades or induces others to artificially alter the finishing position of the event shall be subject to a penalty from NASCAR.”
Keeping the rule in mind, he actions of the #3 and #1 drivers, who appeared to hold back rather than overtake Byron, and seemingly blocked others from doing so, could well be interpreted as “race manipulation.”
What makes the matter interesting is that Wallace helped Bell just like the Chevys assisted Byron. But the chatter and NASCAR decision around the wall ride incident has taken the focus away from that.
Since there’s no explicit rule addressing the issue of drivers blocking for teammates, the interpretation remains ambiguous, likely tipping the scales in Byron’s favor.
However, had Bell not been penalized for the move and he would have made it to Phoenix on merit, would there have been a call for the inclusion of Larson at the expense of both Bell and Byron, citing ‘race manipulation’?
