Martinsville Speedway is an NASCAR-owned stock car racing track located in Henry County, in Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At 0.526 miles (0.847 km) in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved oval tracks in NASCAR, being built in 1947 by H. Clay Earles. It is also the only remaining race track on the NASCAR circuit since its beginning in 1948.
Entry list
(R) denotes rookie driver.
(P) denotes playoff driver.
(i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
Average speed: 75.677 miles per hour (121.790 km/h)
Late-race controversy
The ending to the race was shrouded in controversy, as Christopher Bell attempted to do a wall ride move, similar to a move Ross Chastain did in 2022's running. NASCAR however deemed the move was a safety violation (the move had been banned at the beginning of the 2023 season) and was removed from the Championship 4 in Phoenix; William Byron entered the Championship 4 as a result.[11] The move was dubbed as "Fail Melon" by fans and media after the controversial move.[12][13]
Further controversy surrounded allegations of intra-manufacturer team orders involving Austin Dillon and Chastain, both driving Chevrolets, on behalf of Byron. NASCAR would later announce that they would further investigate the actions of the No. 1, 3, and 23 teams.[14] The investigation of the No. 23 team included the car being torn down in order to search for Wallace's car supposed late-race mechanical issues,[15] as his car slowed down prior to Bell's wall ride.[16]
NASCAR announced the penalties on November 5, with each driver (Dillon, Chastain, and Wallace) being fined, as well as a loss of driver points, each teams' team executives, crew chiefs and spotters being suspended from Phoenix.[17]
MRN had the radio call for the race, which was also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Alex Hayden, Mike Bagley and 7 time Martinsville winner Rusty Wallace had the call for MRN when the field raced down the front straightaway. Dave Moody covered the action for MRN when the field raced down the backstraightway into turn 3. MRN Lead Pit Reporter Steve Post, Jacklyn Drake, and Chris Wilner covered the action for MRN from pit lane.
Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
Notes
^ abBell originally finished 18th and would have advanced to the Championship 4, but he was demoted to 22nd (last car on his lap) and eliminated from championship contention after NASCAR ruled his wallride maneuver was illegal.
^"Martinsville Speedway". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. January 3, 2013. Archived from the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
