What the unusual radio comms reveal about contentious Martinsville finish

NASCAR has yet to review the radio communications from the closing laps of Sunday’s race (they intend to do so in the week ahead). And while Ryan Blaney drove off with the race win, strange things were happening throughout the field as Chevy and Toyota grappled for the final spot in the Championship 4. If we break down the communications ourselves though, it’s clear that manufacturer loyalty played a crucial role in what transpired at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday.

Setting the ‘final’ stage

When the final restart came with 87 laps to go, Christopher Bell was trapped a lap down and unable to make any forward progress from 19th. He was three points behind William Byron for the final transfer spot. Up front, Kyle Larson was leading the race and in the Championship 4 — until his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott took the lead for himself with 25 laps to go. But it was all for naught as reigning NASCAR Cup champ Ryan Blaney passed them both in the laps that followed.

None of that changed the situation for Bell and Byron who were in a constant struggle for that final transfer spot. When Austin Cindric and Denny Hamlin managed to pass Byron and the margin was suddenly a single point. The math was simple: One position is one point. With 12 laps left, the bleeding suddenly stopped for the No. 24 Hendrick Chevrolet (Byron) as fellow Chevy driver Austin Dillon pulled up to his rear bumper. 

Now for a closer look at what the late-race radio communications between manufacturer allies reveals about this controversial finish that decided the Championship 4.

Dillon rides behind the #24

Before the race even began, the No. 3 Chevy radio of Dillon openly mentioned being cognizant of the Hendrick playoff drivers. That’s not unusual in these playoff races, but as Dillon was catching Byron in the closing laps, they made it clear that there was only one priority — protect Byron.

“The 24 is only two points to the good right now and there’s two spots between them,” crew chief Justin Alexander explained to spotter Brandon Benesch. He then told Dillon about the points situation, and Alexander quickly added: “If we pass him, he’ll be out.”

Dillon wanted to know who Byron was racing and they flatly told him: “He just can’t give up spots.” 

Does Chastain know the deal?

As Chastain in the No. 1 Chevrolet rapidly closed, pulling alongside Dillon, the radio became more interesting. “Does he know the deal?” asked the No. 3 crew…