Controversial officiating decision decides NASCAR's Championship Four field

The rule regarding a safety violation was put in place following Chastain's 'Hail Melon' at Martinsville in 2022. 

"I understand that the rule was made to prevent people from riding the wall, but my move was completely different than what Ross' was," Bell told NBC Sports. "I got loose getting into the corner and slid right into the fence. I don't know what else to say."

The penalty handed down to Bell by NASCAR relegated him to a 22nd-place finish. 

Meanwhile, Byron's sixth-place finish was enough for him to advance to the Championship Four for the second straight season, where he looks to avenge his 2023 defeat. 

"The rule is what it is for the crossover gate and riding the wall," Byron told NBC Sports. "It is what it is. We'll go race. I'm proud of my team, we had a really hard fought day overall."

While Bell's move was a violation of NASCAR rules, several radios of teams running around Byron on the final lap — including the No. 3 of Austin Dillon and the No. 1 of Ross Chastain — point to potential foul play by Chevrolet in an attempt to get Byron into the championship race.