Controversial yet successful, these words can aptly sum up how NASCAR’s 75th-anniversary season has fared so far. Amassing great success for its Chicago endeavors, NASCAR faced massive backlash for its decision to curtail The Loop 121 Xfinity Series race, and crowing Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer as the winner. Atlanta Motor Speedway has been no cakewalk either, neither for NASCAR nor for its drivers.

Walking down the same path, NASCAR once again finds itself on the receiving end of fans’ warth for its controversial decision during the 2023 Quaker State 400 Cup Series race in Atlanta.

What led NASCAR to declare William Byron as the race winner?

Stage one’s final lap at the Atlanta Motor Speedway witnessed Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney winning by a hair’s breadth, beating Kyle Larson to the finish. During stage two, Hendrick Motorsports’s #24 William Byron was handed a penalty for a tire mishap on Pit Road.

Forced to start from the back following his penalty, the #24 Chevy then spun out after a bump from Spire Motorsports’ Corey LaJoie. Suffering a flat tire following the spin-out, Byron went down one lap. While Brad Keselowski grabbed the second stage win, the HMS #24 driver got to work, making up for his lost lap. 

As the race progressed into its final stage, heavy rainfall in the area led NASCAR to call the cars back into Pit Road on lap 185. With the downpour showing no signs of slowing down, the Quaker State 400 was red-flagged.

Shortly after, NASCAR announced the conclusion of the race, handing the title win to HMS’ William Byron. Surprised by NASCAR’s decision, Byron in a post-race interview said, “Honestly, I don’t completely understand this one. It’s a really good feeling, I’ve never had a rain victory like this.”

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While William Byron was overjoyed by his fourth Cup Series win of the season, fans on Twitter were left fuming. With Fox Sports posting a video congratulating the HMS driver on his win, angry fans speculated foul play on Rick Hendrick’s end.

“His check clearing to @NASCAR”: Fans suspect foul play in the rainy day win

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Suspecting foul play behind Byron’s win, one fan wrote, “You mean to congratulate Rick Hendrick on his check clearing to @NASCAR”. Another fan added in on the fixing speculations commenting, “Nothing like waiting until a Hendrick car finally gets the lead and immediately throwing the yellow flag.  The FIX was in!!!!” Here are some more comments from the fans.

“Mr. H loves Nasar’s D”

“yall handed him the win”

Read More: William Byron Makes a Blunt 6-Word Admission About Jeff Gordon’s Demand

Bagging this season’s fourth win at Atlanta, will William Byron bag the 2023 Cup Series champion crown?