NASCAR insider delivers three-word verdict on Christopher Bell’s team’s ‘telling him to back up’ radio message

NASCAR insider Joseph Srigley has presented his three-word take on Christopher Bell's radio message from the Martinsville Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver allegedly capitalized on his Toyota OEM teammate Bubba Wallace's move to gain track position in the penultimate lap.

The XFINITY 500 has joined NASCAR's controversial races roster after Austin Dillon, Ross Chastain, and Bubba Wallace's race manipulation deed came to light. The Chevrolet and Toyota drivers were suspects in helping their manufacturer teammates advance into the Championship 4.

Dillon and Chastain caught attention for apparently not overtaking William Byron's #24 Chevy and slowing down the approaching drivers on purpose. Wallace was penalized for a similar incident, where he allegedly slowed down on the final lap opening the path for Bell's #20 Toyota. Notably, the #23 Toyota driver voiced about a mechanical failure before the JGR driver made the final lap pass.

Christopher Bell walked away without any repercussions except for his wall ride penalty.

However, upon closer introspection of the Bell's radio communication with his crew chief and spotter, Srigley pointed out the key messages aimed at a supposed collaboration between 23XI and JGR.

"We’ve been telling him (assuming the No. 23) to back up to us," Srigley shared the first message via X (1:17).

"That’s a spot, the No. 23s (Wallace) a spot, he’s got a problem," the second radio message read (2:32).

Though Christopher Bell's crew did explicitly mention Wallace in the first message, according to Srigley, it was meant for the 23XI Racing driver. As a result, the NASCAR insider passed his three-word verdict. He wrote.

"That’s… not ideal.😬."

NASCAR has taken strict measures against race manipulators- Chastain, Dillon, Wallace, and their respective team owners, slapping $600,000 in fines.

23XI Racing responds to Bubba Wallace's penalty as Christopher Bell walks free

If the radio communication was meant for taking backup from rival Wallace, then Christopher Bell and his #20 team broke NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book sections 4.4.B&D and would be liable for another penalty after the playoff disqualification blow. However, the governing body hasn't said anything about the JGR driver's involvement.

On the other hand, the officials went after Bubba Wallace and team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. NASCAR penalized the outfit with $200,000 in fines and stripped 50 driver and owner points.

However, the Huntersville-based outfit expressed innocence and said they would appeal NASCAR's ruling.

"23XI is aware of the penalty issued by NASCAR stemming from Sunday's Martinsville race. We feel strongly that we did not commit any violations during Sunday's race and we will appeal NASCAR's ruling," the statement read via 23XI Racing on X.

The aftermath of the 50-point penalty has resulted in Wallace dropping from P17 to P18 in the Cup Series rankings. Austin Dillon fell from P28 to P33 while Ross Chastain's P19 rank remained unchanged.