“I probably would let it go”: Bob Pockrass gives his verdict on controversial Christopher Bell penalty at Martinsville

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell was sanctioned a penalty by NASCAR for reportedly executing a hail melon wall ride move in the final lap of the Xfinity 500 playoff race at Martinsville Speedway. NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass shared his thoughts on the last-lap maneuver at Martinsville.

Bell, piloting the #20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, was among six playoff drivers vying for two Championship 4 spots. Starting the Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville in P16, he made steady gains in stages 1 and 2. However, a loose lug nut required Bell to make a return trip to pit road before the final stage, causing a significant loss in track position just as the race entered its critical final moments.

In a final attempt for glory, the #20 driver attempted a move similar to Ross Chastain's wall ride at Martinsville in 2022. However, he was sanctioned a penalty by NASCAR after the race ended. NASCAR insider Pockrass expressed his views on Bell's penalty, which cost him a seat in the Championship 4:

"There's no rule against riding the wall. The rule is that you can't commit an unsafe act and that's NASCAR's interpretation of it. After evaluating the hail melon here that they let go a couple of years ago, the penalty was putting Christopher Bell at the tail end of the lap he was running on."

Pockrass compared Christopher Bell and Chastain's wall ride moves, before discussing the Chevrolet controversy at Martinsville. He gave his verdict:

"Bell's move at the end of the race, man that's a tough call to make. I probably would let go. I don't consider it a travesty of justice though that they did penalize him, but I would love to see a rule written specifically that you can't ride the wall."

Bell, JGR teammate Denny Hamlin, and Hendrick Motorsports drivers Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott saw their playoff bids end at Martinsville. Team Penske's Ryan Blaney repeated his previous Xfinity 500 success, claiming victory and securing his Championship 4 spot. William Byron joined him, setting up the showdown at Phoenix Raceway.

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Christopher Bell congratulates William Byron after Martinsville's heartbreak

After his playoff elimination, Christopher Bell congratulated William Byron on securing a Championship 4 position. NASCAR’s post-race penalty on Bell ensured Byron's advancement in the title chase.

Bell approached Hendrick Motorsports' #24 driver on pit road and said (via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on X):

"Well Willy, that’s not how I wanted it to go, but congratulations.”

The season finale is scheduled at Phoenix Raceway on November 10 at 3:00 PM ET. Will Ryan Blaney succeed in defending his Championship? Catch the action live on NBC Sports, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel.