iturn0image3A recent revelation from a NASCAR insider has stirred controversy regarding potential race manipulation during the 2024 Cup Series playoffs. Jeff Gluck, a senior NASCAR journalist, discussed the incident on his podcast, “The Teardown,” highlighting a significant slowdown by 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace during the final lap at Martinsville. Gluck noted that Wallace’s lap time was approximately four seconds slower than the rest of the field, raising suspicions of intentional positioning to benefit a teammate. While Wallace attributed the slowdown to a potential flat tire, Gluck expressed skepticism, suggesting it appeared to be a deliberate act of race manipulation citeturn0search5.
This incident follows another controversial moment earlier in the season when Christopher Bell’s aggressive wall ride maneuver at Martinsville was penalized. The penalty led to a tie in points between Bell and William Byron, with Byron advancing to the Championship 4 due to a tiebreaker. The situation sparked discussions about the influence of team spotters on drivers’ strategies during critical moments citeturn0search4.
These developments have prompted calls for increased transparency and potential changes in NASCAR’s regulations to ensure fair competition and maintain the integrity of the sport.
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