It is no secret that OEM-aligned groups work collectively in trendy NASCAR, however did Sunday’s end cross the road into race manipulation? Corridor of Fame driver Jeff Gordon, who now serves because the Vice Chairman at Hendrick Motorsports, noticed nothing mistaken with what unfolded within the closing laps.
Talking in a Monday media availability, Gordon mentioned: “One factor that we do all 12 months lengthy … that is one thing that you just construct on, 12 months after 12 months, as a company together with your teammates and your OEM in Chevy, it is having these conversations: How will we work collectively, how will we not work in opposition to in opposition to each other, how will we share info, and what will we do about being conscious of each other on the race monitor? It doesn’t matter what race it’s all 12 months lengthy — however particularly once you get into the playoffs.
#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty College Chevrolet Camaro, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Professional Retailers Chevrolet Camaro
Picture by: John Ok Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
“That is your job as a driver and as a workforce and a crew chief — it is to pay attention to what’s on the road. Who’s within the championship hunt, who (has) received a shot to switch by in the event that they win, who’s tight on factors? And so I believe that is what you noticed actually play out yesterday.”
Radio communication indicated that there may need been some kind of group from producer allies, or not less than an intense deal with what was taking place with the No. 24 of William Byron. Byron couldn’t afford to lose a single spot, and the No. 3 of Austin Dillon rode behind him for the ultimate leg of the race. When the No. 1 Chevrolet of Ross Chastain arrived, chatter on the Dillon radio needed to make it possible for Chastain’s workforce knew what was on the road. Neither driver ever handed Byron, forming a rolling blockade of types that stopped anybody else from getting near the HMS driver.
In the end, Gordon noticed nothing mistaken with how issues transpired from throughout the Chevrolet camp within the closing laps. He solely noticed drivers “racing as arduous as they may, but additionally racing to advance and racing to ensure you’re conscious of what others are doing and what they’d on the road. Which means you do not go wreck any person or flip any person. You simply give them somewhat bit extra room and leniency. And I really feel like that is what I noticed from a Chevy aspect of issues”
Gordon thought a Bell penalty was coming
After the race, NASCAR deliberated for 27 minutes on Christopher Bell’s last-lap wall trip. Gordon was proper there with William Byron on pit highway in the course of the agonizing look forward to NASCAR handy down a ruling. His preliminary intestine response after the race was that NASCAR would act on Bell’s wall-ride, which might put them in place to get Byron into the Championship 4.
“Instantly my focus went to watching the 20 [Bell] automotive trip the wall,” mentioned Gordon. “It appeared like he was accelerating. Although it wasn’t the identical with what occurred with the #1 automotive and Ross Chastain… it appeared very, similar to me.
“While you noticed what occurred with the 20 get unfastened and rise up into the wall — we had been watching that intently. After which when he rode the wall, I did really feel like… NASCAR could have a ruling there.”
In the end, Gordon was appropriate. NASCAR dominated it as a security violation and Bell was moved to the top of the lap, ending his 2024 title bid. Had NASCAR let the wall trip slide, three of the 4 drivers eradicated on Sunday would have been Hendrick drivers and none would have remained to combat for the championship.
NASCAR said on Sunday that the radio communications weren’t a part of their instant determination post-race, however that they might evaluate the scenario this week. NASCAR has now issued vital penalties to Wallace, in addition to the Chevrolet duo of Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain, who gave the impression to be guarding the No. 24 of William Byron within the closing laps. The penalties embody the lack of factors, a six-figure high quality, and the suspension of a number of key personnel.
