23XI Racing has made significant decision ahead of the Cup Series season finale at Phoenix Raceway. The team has decided not to appeal major penalties issued after Martinsville Speedway.
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23XI Racing announced the news Wednesday with a statement on social media and confirmed it will accept the $100,000 fines to Bubba Wallace and the team, as well as the 50-point penalties to driver and team. 23XI Racing will also move forward without Freddie Kraft, Dave Rogers, and Bootie Barker as they all serve a one-race suspension.
"After internal deliberations, 23XI has decided not to appeal NASCAR's decision to penalize the No. 23 team," the statement said. "We disagree with the penalty ruling and strongly believe we did not break any rules at Martinsville.
"It is our conclusion that it is in our best interests, and those of our team members, partners, and fans to fully devote our personnel and resources this week toward the championship and not appeal."
NASCAR has penalized the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 23 teams for manipulation near the end of Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville.
Have a listen to each team's radio. pic.twitter.com/XbroAIKJVM
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) November 5, 2024
The penalties are for a violation of sections 4.4.B&D: NASCAR Member Conduct of the Rule Book, which includes race manipulation. NASCAR determined that the infraction specifically involving Wallace and the No. 23 team occurred in the closing laps of the Round of 8 elimination race.
Wallace suddenly slowed on the track and said over the radio that he thought he had a tire going down. Kraft responded and told the 23XI Racing driver to nurse the car home and keep it up top.
Meanwhile, Christopher Bell passed Wallace and gained the single point he needed to make it to the Championship 4. NASCAR ultimately determined that Bell had committed a safety violation by "riding the wall" after passing Wallace.
Bell received a penalty that eliminated him from the playoffs. Joe Gibbs Racing did not have the opportunity to appeal as NASCAR called this an in-race penalty similar to a lost wheel or too many crew members over the wall.
With 23XI accepting the penalties, the team will move forward with some people stepping into interim roles. Eric Phillips, a veteran with wins in both Truck and Xfinity, will take over as crew chief. Phillips guided the No. 67 team last season when Travis Pastrana and Kamui Kobayashi made Cup starts.
TJ Bell will head to the roof. He will replace Kraft while guiding Wallace during the season finale at Phoenix Raceway.
