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NASCAR Suspends Several Team Members Involved in Martinsville Controversy

MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - NOVEMBER 03: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, and wife, Amanda Wallace stand on the grid during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway on November 03, 2024 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Kauy Ostlien

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Royal T Grafix

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What’s Happening?

Following the NASCAR Round of Eight cutoff race at Martinsville, NASCAR has suspended the Executives, Spotters, and Crew Chiefs of three NASCAR Cup Series teams. This follows accusations of race manipulation in association with team’s manufacturers to get two different drivers into the playoffs.

  • Late in the race Sunday evening, William Byron and Christopher Bell were battling for the final transfer spot to the Championship Four at Phoenix. With a little help from teams carrying the same manufacturer as the two, both were given a chance to make it.
  • While this is a significant penalty for these teams, it may not stop the bleeding. Notably, no manufacturer was fined Manufacturer Points, something many have stated would have some effect on their actions.
  • The proof that NASCAR has for these actions is the many radio communications between teams. Most of these are incriminating and show how much collaboration went into what happened, even if it didn’t go as planned for either side.
  • As of press time, 23XI, Trackhouse Racing and RCR will appeal the penalties.

Toyota

  • For Bell, his Toyota teammate Bubba Wallace appeared to be loose late in the race, slipping back slowly before finally losing it in turns three and four of the final lap, allowing Bell to pass him, ride off the wall, and to the finish. Bell needed one spot to pass Byron in points and did so on this move before his wall ride eliminated him from the playoffs.

Suspensions for the No. 23
  • Crew Chief Robert (Bootie) Barker is suspended from the next race.
  • Spotter Freddie Kraft is suspended from the next race.
  • 23XI Senior Director of Competition Dave Rogers is suspended from the next race.
  • The team and driver were fined $100,000 and 50 points.

Chevrolet

  • While Bubba fell to the back of the pack to help his Toyota teammate, William Byron, needing not to lose a single spot, had a blockade from Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain and Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon. Both the No. 1 and No. 3 ran side by side behind Byron clogging up the track while refusing to passing the No. 24.

Suspensions for the No. 1
  • Crew Chief Philip Surgen is suspended from the next race.
  • Spotter Brandon McReynolds is suspended from the next race.
  • COO of Trackhouse Racing Tony Lunders is suspended from the next race.
  • The team and driver were fined $100,000 and 50 points.

Suspensions for the No. 3
  • Crew Chief Justin Alexander is suspended from the next race.
  • Spotter Brandon Benesch is suspended from the next race.
  • Interim Competition Director of RCR Keith Rodden is suspended from the next race.
  • The team and driver were fined $100,000 and 50 points.

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinions on Discord or X, and don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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What Fans Think of NASCAR’s TV Coverage in 2026 (So Far)

by Bryan Aguiar

What’s Happening?

As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season gets underway, The Daily Downforce is once again tracking how fans feel about race broadcasts throughout the year, just as we did last year. This ratings tracker exists to capture fan feedback in a clear, consistent way across the entire season for each TV partner.

How the Tracker Works

After each Cup Series race weekend, we will post a fan poll asking one simple question: “How would you rate this weekend’s Cup Series broadcast?” And fans can vote and comment based on their overall viewing experience. This article will be updated weekly with the most recent race’s numbers added to the tracker.

Where and How to Vote

  • The poll is posted on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after each race.
  • Fans can vote directly in the poll with just one tap.
  • Replies and quote posts are also monitored to gather more detailed feedback for a separate article after the season is concluded

Participation is quick and open to everyone.

Tracker

WeekNetworkRaceVotesGood | Average | BadSource
1FOXBowman Gray Clash36816% | 43% | 42%Check the Poll HERE
2FOXDaytona 50098942% | 46% | 12%Check the Poll HERE

Latest Poll Results

Remember to follow The Daily Downforce on X to catch each weekly poll, share your thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

NASCAR Coming to The Crew Motorfest in New Free Update

by Bryan Aguiar

What’s Happening?

A new trailer revealed that NASCAR will be a part of The Crew Motorfest’s upcoming free season 9 update.

  • Ubisoft released a new trailer for The Crew Motorfest’s upcoming Island update, including a brief look at NASCAR racing as part of the new content
  • The NASCAR cars appear at the 1:08 minute mark of the trailer
  • The trailer shows officially licensed NASCAR Next Gen cars racing on an unidentified oval track
  • There are limited details on licenses, teams, drivers, tracks or gameplay mechanics, but the trailer shows the cars of Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Shane van Gisbergen, Brad Keselowski, Ross Chastain, and Ryan Blaney, all with official paint schemes and sponsors reminiscent of the 2025 season, confirming that the content present will be fully licensed by NASCAR
  • The collaboration is expected to feature a full playlist focused on oval racing disciplines such as drafting and pit strategy
  • Outside of the NASCAR content, Season 9 is likely to introduce a feature for building and sharing of custom tracks, as well as a new RC car playlist featuring miniature-scale racing

Will you be playing The Crew for this new update? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Kyle Busch’s Controversial Last Lap Move | Hamlin Defends Herbst | NASCAR Power Rankings!

by Bryan Aguiar

Denny Hamlin defends Riley Herbst, Brad Keselowski is furious, and Kyle Busch leaves everyone debating what it means to truly compete for a Daytona 500. The final lap at Daytona International Speedway sparked multiple completely different controversies that say a lot about modern superspeedway racing.

  • Was Riley Herbst’s late block just another split-second Daytona gamble, or did he truly cost Keselowski a legitimate shot at the win?
  • Is Denny Hamlin right to defend his driver publicly, even while admitting the wreck was on Herbst?
  • Did Kyle Busch make a savvy veteran points play by bailing out of the draft on the white flag?
  • Does backing out of the lead pack signal frustration, maybe even a bigger-picture mindset shift?

At superspeedways, instinct rules everything. Herbst reacted late, Keselowski paid the price, and Hamlin backed his guy. Meanwhile, Busch lifted from 25th, avoided the wreck, and gained ten spots, a move that looks smart in hindsight but could have backfired badly. In a new points-heavy format, are drivers thinking differently? We break down both moments, what they really mean, and whether everyone involved might actually have a point. Plus, early Cup Series power rankings to wrap it up.

Watch Also

Everyone Wants To Be The Hero | NASCAR O’Reilly Daytona Race Analysis