Yesterday, we reported that Bubba Wallace was being accused of “race manipulation” after he slowed down at the end of Sunday’s race in Martinsville. Though he claimed that he was simply “nursing” his car, some accused him of trying to allow his fellow Toyota racer Christopher Bell to pass him so that he could advance to the championship stage of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Now, Wallace’s punishment for this has been revealed.
Wallace Learns His Fate
On Tuesday night, NASCAR announced the results of its investigation into Sunday’s race at the Martinsville Speedway. Officials concluded that three different teams will be hit with penalties after being found guilty of race manipulation.
“After an investigation of the on-track data and team scanners from the final laps of Sunday’s Round of 8 elimination race, NASCAR determined the actions of those involved violated sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book, which include race manipulation and actions detrimental to stock car racing,” read a statement issued by NASCAR.
Wallace will be penalized along with Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon. Indeed, each of them will be hit with a 50-driver point deduction and a fine of $100,000.
On top of that, owners of all three teams were also fined $100,000 and deducted 50 owner points.
Ouch. But is it enough to stop teams from doing it in the future?
Full Story: Bubba Wallace Embroiled In New NASCAR Scandal – Accused Of ‘Race Manipulation’
NASCAR Explains Its Decision
“In the late stages of last weekend’s 500-lap race, William Byron’s No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet began to fade from the front of the field, which led to a series of on-track events that eventually resulted in Tuesday’s penalties,” NASCAR explained.
Like, for instance, wall-riding and deliberately slowing down.
“Every spot lost dropped Byron closer to the elimination line, and he settled into sixth place on the track, just one point ahead of Christopher Bell in the provisional playoff standings and in position to advance to the Championship 4. Bell was running in 19th place at the time, the first car one lap down,” the statement added.
NASCAR proceeded to further explain the reasoning behind the decision.
“As Ryan Blaney pulled away for his Championship 4-clinching win, the Chevrolets of Chastain and Dillon effectively created a blockade behind Byron, both running side-by-side and not passing the No. 24 car over the final 10 laps. Completed passes by those cars may have dropped Byron out of the Championship 4,” NASCAR later stated.
“Elsewhere on track, Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota slowed significantly over the final five laps, eventually getting lapped by Blaney,” the statement concluded. “On the final lap, Bell surged past the slowing Wallace entering Turn 3, slid through the rubber marbles on the track and rode his car along the outside retaining wall coming to the checkered flag in 18th place.”
Related: Is Bubba Wallace About To Walk Away From NASCAR? ‘Racing Don’t Matter’
Wallace Defends Himself
Wallace had tried to defend his actions immediately after the race.
“I went loose or something broke and he’s nursing it,” Wallace alleged at the time. “And then he tried to slide me. I’m like ‘Brother.’ Just trying to bide our time and not crash and bring out out a caution. So that was it.”
Check out Wallace’s full comments in the video below.
Sorry, Bubba, but it looks like NASCAR wasn’t buying it. In the end, it seems like you got exactly what you deserved!