By David Morgan, Associate Editor
AVONDALE, Ariz. – As is custom at the season finale, NASCAR President Steve Phelps and Chief Operating Officer Steve O’Donnell took to the stage in front of assembled media to discuss a range of topics currently concerning the sport in 2024.
This year, the focus was on the recent race manipulation penalties at Martinsville, officiating challenges that have occurred in multiple series this year, charter negotiations, the Playoff format and whether the drivers vying for the championship are the most deserving, among others.
After nearly an hour behind the podium, Phelps wrapped everything up with a succinct statement regarding his feelings for where the sport truly stands.
“I’ve said this at every single one of these States of the Sport. This is my seventh year saying this. And I will say it this year, next year, and the following years, which is the best days at NASCAR are not behind us. They are ahead of us. And I believe that to be true.”
O’Donnell: Martinsville “Pissed Me Off”
Since the end of last Sunday’s penultimate race of the NASCAR Cup Series season at Martinsville, the talk of the industry has been focused on the actions of the OEMs, teams, and drivers involved in the actions that allowed the integrity of the Playoffs and the championship to come into question.
As the laps wound down, Chevrolet drivers Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon ran a blockade for William Byron, who was struggling in the closing laps and in danger of losing enough spots to fall out of position to be able to advance into the Championship 4.
On the Toyota side, Bubba Wallace ran well off the pace in the closing laps to allow Christopher Bell to catch up to him and have a chance to make his aggressive move into Turn 4, which would have bumped him ahead of Byron if the move would have been called legal.
NASCAR announced on Tuesday its decision on penalties stemming from those actions, with Chastain (Trackhouse Racing), Dillon (RCR), and Wallace (23XI Racing) were each docked 50 driver points and hit with a $100,000 fine. Their respective owners were also handed the same points and monetary fines.
The crew chiefs and spotters from all three teams were also suspended for the season finale at Phoenix Raceway this coming Sunday. Phil Surgen, Justin Alexander, and Bootie Barker are the crew chiefs suspended, along with spotters Brandon McReynolds, Brandon Benesch and Freddie Kraft.
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