Super dirt late model driver Nick Hoffman trashed NASCAR’s playoff system and the finish at Martinsville that saw both Toyota and Chevy clearly attempt to manipulate the finish of the race in order to get William Byron or Christopher Bell into the Champion 4 at Phoenix.
Christopher Bell passes Bubba Wallace on the final lap of the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville in November 2024.
In the closing laps of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville, William Byron’s older tires were clearly fading and he fell into the clutches of both Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain. The two Chevy drivers formed a moving wall behind Byron to ensure that he would maintain a sixth place finish and stay at least one point ahead of Christopher Bell in the playoffs.
Radio communication for Austin Dillon’s team clearly indicates that both Dillon and Chastain were given instructions to block for Byron and manipulate the finishing order.
Radio comms between Ross Chastain and Austin Dillon’s crews.@AlwaysRaceDay pic.twitter.com/MLLFr6mBmi
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) November 3, 2024
While Chevy clearly instructed Dillon and Chastain to block for Byron, Toyota instructed Bubba Wallace to completely tank his last lap in order for Bell to pass him and gain the one extra point he needed to tie Byron in the points. If the two were tied, Bell had the tie breaker with his second place finish at Las Vegas in October.
Bell was able to pass Wallace, but as he was doing so he drifted up the track and got too high and lost control and slammed hard into the wall. After making contact with the wall, he stayed in the gas similar to Ross Chastain’s Hail Melon move and was able to stay ahead of Wallace.
IS BELL IN OR OUT?!!
What do y’all think?
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) November 3, 2024
After a review, NASCAR decided to only penalize Bell for a “safety violation” and placed him in the 22nd position. That gave the Championship four playoff berth to William Byron and ensured that one of each of the manufacturers would have a car in the final four.
PENALTY: NASCAR deems the No. 20 car incurred a safety violation at @MartinsvilleSwy. He is placed in 22nd position, the last car one lap down.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) November 3, 2024
Hoffman reacted to all of these shenanigans saying, “Nascar sucks. Anyway. The Outlaw Championship comes down to Charlotte. No bullshit playoffs just 3 guys that accumulated points over an entire season and still have a shot to win. I guarantee there won’t be any gimmicks either.”
Nascar sucks. Anyway. The Outlaw Championship comes down to Charlotte. No bullshit playoffs just 3 guys that accumulated points over an entire season and still have a shot to win. I guarantee there won’t be any gimmicks either.
— Nick Hoffman (@Nick_Hoffman2) November 3, 2024
Hoffman is in a three driver race for the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Championship heading into the Dirt Track World Finals at the Dirt Track at Charlotte next weekend. Brandon Sheppard currently leads the series with a 44 point advantage over Bobby Pierce. Hoffman sits in third just six points behind Pierce and 50 points behind Sheppard.
NEXT: Flat Tire Ruins Brandon Overton’s Chances At Win At I-75 For Hunt The Front Super Dirt Series