23XI Racing announced it will not appeal the penalty to Bubba Wallace for race manipulation after Bubba Wallace faded in the last few laps that allowed Christopher Bell to pass him.
William Byron, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and Bubba Wallace via The Daily Downforce on X
NASCAR penalized Wallace alongside Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon as well as crew chief Bootie Barker and team executive Dave Rogers.
In a blog post the sanctioning body announced, “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.”
It then shared that Chastain, Dillon, and Wallace “were each hit with a loss of 50 driver points and a $100,000 fine. In addition, NASCAR also fined the owners of each team $100,000 and deducted 50 owner points each.”
William Byron, Ross Chastain, and Austin Dillon via The Daily Downforce on X
NASCAR continued, “Crew chiefs Phil Surgen, Justin Alexander and Bootie Barker, along with their respective spotters Brandon McReynolds, Brandon Benesch and Freddie Kraft, were all suspended for the 2024 season finale at Phoenix Raceway.”
“Additionally, team executives Tony Lunders, Keith Rodden and Dave Rogers were also suspended for the 2024 finale at Phoenix,” it stated.
Bubba Wallace via Bubba Wallace YouTube
23XI Racing announced it would not appeal the penalty, but denied that Wallace engaged in race manipulation. The team stated, “After internal deliberations, 23XI has decided not to appeal NASCAR’s decision to penalize the No. 23 team. We disagree with the penalty ruling and strongly believe we did not break any rules at Martinsville.”
“It is our conclusion that it is in our best interests, and those of our team members, partners, and fans to fully devote our personnel and resources this week toward the championship and not an appeal,” the team concluded.
New update from 23XI pic.twitter.com/CFlIuxOJxC
— 23XI Racing (@23XIRacing) November 6, 2024
23XI Racing’s denial of any wrongdoing is not surprising given team co-owner Denny Hamlin denied that Toyota Racing instructed 23XI to help Joe Gibbs Racing.
Hamlin said, “Toyota Racing never, not once this week, told 23XI to do anything for JGR. They were not involved whatsoever. I don’t think I’ve ever been part of a conversation saying, ‘If this happens then you have to do this.’ They’ve never said that as a [manufacturer]. Even on super speedways they’ve left it up to the teams to just kind of, ‘You guys figure this out. We’re going to provide you. We hope you work together.’ But that’s it. There’s never been any rules that Toyota has laid out to say, ‘This is what we want you to do.’ Ever.
What do you make of 23XI Racing not appealing the penalty?