In a wild final lap that left fans buzzing, William Byron and Christopher Bell found themselves at the center of a heated NASCAR debate. It all started with Bell’s bold move, a gutsy attempt to pull off a wall-ride maneuver in Turn 4—something that’s rarely seen and usually remembered. Bell was trying to gain any extra position he could, hoping to replicate Ross Chastain’s legendary “Hail Melon” move from 2022, where Chastain famously rode the wall to pass multiple cars and secure a spot in the playoffs.

Bell’s attempt wasn’t exactly smooth, though. His car got loose, and before he knew it, he was scraping along the wall, managing to pass Bubba Wallace right before the finish line. This move gave Bell a valuable point, but NASCAR didn’t let it slide. Officials reviewed the incident and decided Bell’s wall ride breached safety rules, dropping him from 18th to 22nd place. That change came with huge implications. Thanks to Bell’s penalty, William Byron nabbed the final spot in the Championship 4, leaving Bell out in the cold.

One fan didn’t hold back, stating, “Hendrick runs NASCAR so of course not.” This comment hit at the heart of the belief that Hendrick Motorsports has a significant influence within NASCAR, implying that the team’s success and connections give them an unfair advantage. It’s a sentiment shared by many who feel that the sport’s governance is too favorable to its biggest names.

Another fan added to this sentiment with, “Certainly seems to add credibility to the allegations of @NASCAR being a monopoly and dictatorship.” This reaction shows a growing concern among fans that NASCAR prioritizes certain teams and drivers over others. This is not the first time NASCAR has been accused of favoring Hendrick Motorsports and fans are taking notice and being vocal about it now.

However, not everyone saw the situation as unjust. One fan firmly declared, “The move was illegal; there’s nothing to protest.” This response shares that the fan believes Bell’s wall ride was a clear violation of the rules. For this fan, it’s all about upholding the integrity of the sport, even if it means a tough break for a popular driver.

Another fan captured the essence of resignation with their comment, “We know what he thought of the decision but what can he do?” This shows Joe Gibbs’ predicament, acknowledging that while there’s frustration with the penalty, the options for protest are limited. Even when it comes to Christopher Bell, he lost control of his car heading into the last lap and he decided that wall riding was the only safe way to end the race.

Finally, one more fan chimed in with, “The video was clear; there’s nothing to protest.” This highlights the belief that the evidence against Bell’s move was undeniable. Bell did wall-ride and the fan believes the rules should be followed no matter who it affects.

With this, the fans are left divided with NASCAR’s decision. Who do you think should be in the championship 4, should it be William Byron or Christopher Bell? Share your thoughts in the comments below.