Christopher Bell’s chance at a spot in the 2024 NASCAR Championship 4 evaporated after a last-lap penalty at Martinsville Speedway. Bell initially seemed to secure a Championship 4 position with his 18th-place finish in the final Round of 8 race. However, a post-race penalty cost him the spot, propelling William Byron into the coveted position.
On the final lap, Bell attempted a daring move reminiscent of Ross Chastain’s famous 2022 “Hail Melon” maneuver, slamming the outside wall in the No. 20 Toyota Camry to gain points. NASCAR officials reviewed the incident and deemed Bell’s wall-riding move a “safety violation” under post-2022 rules, dropping him to 22nd place and ending his Championship 4 hopes.
Afterward, Bell addressed the media, saying:
“I don’t know what to say. I understand the rule is meant to stop wall-riding, but my move wasn’t the same as Ross’s. I just got loose going into the corner and slid into the wall.”
He added, “I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s tough to process, but I appreciate NASCAR enforcing the rules.”
Ryan Blaney took the win at Martinsville, earning a place in the Championship 4 in Phoenix. After the race, Blaney shared:
“I’m worn out. The last 70 laps, I tried to save my rear tires because they start to fade late in the runs. I had to use the bumper a bit, but I tried to be as clean as I could. It was a tough night, and I’m grateful we improved as the race went on. This is the most exhausted I’ve felt after a race in a long time.”
