Ryan Blaney “happy” by NASCAR’s severe ruling on Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and Bubba Wallace 

Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Ryan Blaney has commented on NASCAR's Martinville penalties on Christopher Bell, Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon, and Bubba Wallace. The Team Penske driver expressed his happiness about the governing body taking measures to curb what happened at the 0.526-mile oval in the future.

Blaney triumphed in the XFINITY 500 and has locked his Championship 4 spot, opening the gate for his second consecutive Cup Series title. But soon after the 500-lap battle concluded, NASCAR levied a penalty on Joe Gibbs Racing's Bell for a wall ride move on the final lap. The #20 Toyota driver advanced to the Phoenix race but the officials' ruling dethroned him and reinstated William Byron.

In addition to Bell's penalty, the race gained immense traction after allegations of race manipulation by Chevrolet and Toyota drivers circulated in the community. Two days after the drama, NASCAR found Chevy's Chastain and Dillon and Toyota's Wallace to have indulged in illegal result-altering tactics.

As a result, NASCAR slapped the violators with a $100,000 penalty and docked 50 driver points. A similar punishment was given to the team owners robbing them of 50 owner points with a $100,000 penalty.

Ahead of the title race at Phoenix, Ryan Blaney opened up about NASCAR's decision and commented how the transpiring events stole the "competitive side" of Martinsville racing. He said (via Bob Pockrass),

"NASCAR had to make a call and I'm happy they decided to do something because when you get through the situations we had at Martinsville, it really takes a lot away from the racing aspect of it. Like the fast cars are going forward and slower cars are dropping. When you do things like that it does take a little bit away from the competitive side of it," Blaney said (0:06).

Christopher Bell was also suspected of race manipulation after capitalizing on Bubba Wallace's final lap retardation, but NASCAR couldn't find concrete evidence against the JGR driver.

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"I’ve got nothing left": Ryan Blaney opens up after tiring race at Martinsville Speedway

Ryan Blaney entered the 35th Cup Series race weekend below the playoff cutline and was in a must-win situation to secure his Championship 4 entry. Moreover, a 14th place start in the elimination race exhibited an unpromising situation about the #12 Ford driver's advancement.

Nonetheless, soon after the green was waved, the defending Cup Series champion began his fast-paced approach, surging to a P5 finish as the first stage concluded. Blaney continued the upward trend, settling his Mustang in the runner-up spot in Stage 2.

Things were going Blaney's way but he was three seconds off the pace against the frontrunners Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott during the Lap 414 restart. However, the Team Penske driver mastered saving his rear tires to endure through the penultimate lap.

His strategy paid off. Ryan Blaney overtook Elliott on Lap 486 and remained indomitable until he aced the tiring Martinsville race.

“I’m worn out, I’ve got nothing left. “Oh, my God, I’m tired. Good battle, and this car hung on longer than most, and I could really make some ground,” Blaney said of his exhausting race via NASCAR.

If Ryan Blaney wins the Phoenix race, he will be the first driver to clinch two consecutive Cup Series titles since NASCAR's playoff format was introduced in 2014.