This has been one of the hardest things I have had to go through as a race car driver,” Bell said. “I believe cheated is the right word."

Christopher Bell believes NASCAR cheated him out of a shot at the Cup Series title. Bell moved out of fellow Toyota driver Bubba Wallace’s way last Sunday because Wallace had an allegedly flat tire.

Instead, the Chevys of Austin Dillon and Ross Chastain put themselves in a double-file formation behind Byron, effectively serving as a blockade to prevent any cars from passing the No. 24 car. NASCAR reviewed the radio communications and ruled that their actions were worthy a penalty that was handed out by NASCAR on Tuesday (Nov. 5).