Christopher Bell had a phenomenal race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. With his No. 20 Toyota Camry showing all the pace it was packing, Bell crossed the finish line 2nd to the race winner, William Byron. However, NASCAR came into the picture, and that’s when things turned bad for Christopher Bell. So, what happened?
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Christopher Bell Got a Penalty for a Mishap in The Last Lap
Christopher Bell was having a great run, being just behind Ross Chastain. This is when Bell pushed his Camry up to the inside of Chastain. Unfortunately, he went up a little too far inside the No. 1 Chevrolet and crossed the double white line on the backstretch.
NASCAR slammed Christopher Bell with a heavy penalty. And, they placed him as the last car on the lead lap, making 23rd.
An agitated Christopher Bell said, “I felt very for sure that I got pushed below the line. But, Looking back at it, You know, next time my hands are staying straight,” He added, “The line’s there and I’m not moving so, whatever happens, happens so I guess a lesson learned on my part that next time, in that case, I’m holding my wheel straight, I’m not moving.”
Essentially, suggesting that he’d rather wreck the car at the front than risk getting a double yellow penalty.
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Was Christopher Bell at fault?
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Even though we have gone through the situation, the question about the fault remains. While Bell got a penalty for the error, it seems like there was no other option.
In fact, Ross Chastain, the person who was involved in the incident, also admitted to not giving him any space.
“I didn’t leave him a lane,” said Chastain. “I knew that, and all of a sudden I felt him side drafting me and I looked over and he’s underneath me. I’m staring and a few feet off the line – there’s not enough room for a car.”
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In the end, it is sad what happened to Christopher Bell. Although Joe Gibbs Racing has appealed for a reassessment of the penalty, we don’t know if it’ll lead to anything. Was he at fault? Is NASCAR’s judgment fair?
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