Christopher Bell apologized to William Byron for spinning him out near the end of the race at Richmond Raceway this past Sunday after he had previously blamed Ross Chastain.
Christopher Bell via Noah Lewis YouTube
With just 21 laps left in the race, a restart saw Ty Gibbs dive to the bottom of the track to try and get the inside line. His move was blocked by Michael McDowell. McDowell’s block and dive to the bottom was also blocked by Ross Chastain. Chastain not only blocked McDowell, but got a huge run going into turn 1.
Bell attempted to block the run, but was too late. He then quickly moved his car up the track. As Bell was moving his car up the track heading into the turn, Byron was holding his line and coming down the track.
Bell then got into Byron’s left rear quarter panel and send him spinning into the outside wall.
Following the conclusion of the race, Bell was asked about what happened that resulted in Byron being spun out and sent into the outside wall. Bell firmly placed the blame on Chastain describing him as a “wrecking ball” and a “bonzai.”
He told a number of media outlets, “The bonzai came in and put us three-wide.”
After detailing he had a long-run car and he needed the race to stay green, he was asked to provide further commentary with what happened with William Byron.
Bell again looked back at Chastain and said, “The wrecking ball came in and made us three-wide at the last second and there wasn’t enough room to be three-wide.”
He then made it specifically clear he was talking about Chastain, “The 1 car, the wrecking ball.”
Christopher Bell spins out William Byron during the Federated Autoparts 400 at Richmond Raceway via NASCAR YouTube
While Bell placed the blame for the wreck on Chastain, he indicated he has no plan on speaking to Chastain about it, “No, I mean he didn’t do anything wrong, but that’s just his MO.”
He added, “I feel bad for the 24 because he obviously, probably didn’t get the memo that we were gonna be three-wide because I barely got the memo that we were three-wide and that’s the way it always is.”
Christopher Bell via Noah Lewis YouTube
Chastain was also asked about the incident and he didn’t take too kindly to Bell putting the blame on him when in fact he did nothing.
The Trackhouse driver said, “I never saw the 24. I know I was bottom of three, but I never saw the 24.”
After being informed of Bell’s comments he responded, “He can say what he wants. Like other guys he walks right by me, doesn’t say anything to me. I don’t think I touched anybody and just down there on my line.”
Ross Chastain via Noah Lewis YouTube
Chastain would also chastise FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass who asserted that Chastain wrecked Byron when it was clear he didn’t make any contact on Byron, a fact Chastain pointed out.
Pockrass asked, “What happened on that restart there where you had contact with William?”
Chastain replied, “Bob, I don’t think I touched William. I don’t think there was contact with William.”
Chastain then laughed at Bell’s comments, “I mean if he’s gonna call me a wrecking ball I just… I don’t understand. I didn’t touch anybody and I got inside of the 20 entering turn 1. That’s all I saw,” he concluded.
Ross Chastain via Noah Lewis YouTube
Bell would eventually apologize to Byron writing on Twitter, “After watching the replay, I saw there was much more room than I thought in the heat of the moment. Sorry William Byron.”
After watching the replay, I saw there was much more room than what I thought in the heat of the moment. Sorry @WilliamByron. https://t.co/ESQgXHjOtn
— Christopher Bell (@CBellRacing) April 3, 2023
While Bell apologized to Byron and seemingly took the blame for the accident, he didn’t say anything about his initial comments where he put the blame on Ross Chastain especially when Chastain did not make contact with him, he just took an aggressive line and held it on the restart.
What do you make of Bell’s apology? Why do you think he didn’t publicly apologize to Chastain?