Whispers of a hidden strategy have surfaced, suggesting an alliance among Chevrolet. With William Byron’s championship dreams on the line, some fans and analysts are questioning whether the Chevy lineup acted with calculated intentions to protect one of their own. All this and more made the last lap at Martinsville a spectacle in itself. Could the subtle cooperation witnessed on the track point to something more than just friendly competition?

In the middle of this storm of speculation stands none other than Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports’ vice chairman and a racing legend in his own right. While some allege there’s more at play than meets the eye, Gordon is quick to address the elephant in the room. What’s his take on the matter, and does it put these rumors to rest—or add fuel to the fire?

What does Jeff Gordon have to say about Chevy supporting each other?

In a recent NASCAR Zoom call, Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR champion and current vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports, took a clear stance on what some saw as a suspicious level of cooperation among Chevrolet drivers during the Championship 4 race.

Rumors had been swirling about a possible “Chevy Alliance” strategy to favor their own and help William Byron secure his position. But Gordon quickly put those suspicions to rest, explaining the Byron team’s strategy was strictly about maximizing their own performance.

Jeff Gordon shared insight into how Chevy teams work together, especially in high-stakes playoff races. He explained that this sense of teamwork doesn’t just materialize in the playoffs; it’s a part of their entire season. “The 24 team was just laser-focused on finishing it out and not losing any more positions,” he said, underscoring their singular focus on racing smart, not scheming with others.

He highlighted the importance of Chevy drivers being aware of each other’s stakes in the game. “That’s your job as a driver, as a team, and as a crew chief: to be aware of what’s on the line—who’s in the championship hunt, who’s got a shot to transfer through if they win, who’s tied on points.”

In other words, there’s a kind of unspoken code among Chevy teams to avoid compromising each other’s chances, especially when a playoff spot or a championship is at stake. But Gordon emphasized this was about respect, not manipulation.

Ultimately, he chalked up the observed cooperation to drivers showing “a little bit more room and leniency,” racing hard but carefully to avoid damaging each other’s races. There was a tie at the end of the Martinsville race for the final spot in the Championship 4. In the end, it came down to Christopher Bell vs. William Byron, as the officials were left to decide if Christopher Bell‘s daring move to level the points was legal or not.

William Byron beats Christopher Bell into the Cup Series Finals

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The last-lap drama at Martinsville had William Byron clinching a spot in the Championship 4 after a tense ruling on Christopher Bell’s risky move. Bell’s late attempt to gain an edge involved diving beneath Bubba Wallace, which resulted in contact with the wall and an aggressive bid for the position. Reminiscent of Ross Chastain’s famous ‘Hail Melon’ in 2022, although this time, the driver did not prevail.

While Bell’s move initially seemed to place him in a points tie with Byron, NASCAR’s post-race review turned the tables, issuing Bell a penalty for a safety violation that dashed his hopes for a championship shot. As the dust settled, Byron emerged as the final contender, with NASCAR officials ruling Bell’s maneuver too dangerous. Bell, visibly disappointed, acknowledged his season’s successes but lamented the missed chance to race for a title.

His team, including crew chief Adam Stevens, argued that the penalty was harsh and claimed it differed significantly from the “Hail Melon” move that had famously secured a spot for Ross Chastain in 2022. Bell spoke after the race, saying, “It just wasn’t meant to be today and wasn’t meant to be this year, and we accomplished a lot this year, and I’m proud of that. So we just gotta keep building on it.” Despite his frustrations, Bell remained composed, pledging to try again next year.

With that said, who is your top pick to win the Cup Series title this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below.