Christopher Bell brands Martinsville Xfinity race as “disgrace and embarrassing”

Joe Gibbs Racing veteran Christopher Bell has shared his thoughts on the poor racing from young driver in Martinsville Xfinity event.

Christopher Bell brands Martinsville Xfinity race as “disgrace and embarrassing”

Christopher Bell (Via IMAGO)

The Martinsville Xfinity Series race last Saturday saw Austin Hill coming out victorious, in a wreck fest of a race. But the RCR drivers’ win wasn’t anywhere close to being the highlight of the day, as the over aggressive racing style of the youngsters, the 14 cautions and the red flag has been in the limelight since.

The most infuriating incident of the day, which was already embarrassing, occurred on the final lap of the race. Sammy Smith wrecked Tyler Gray in a desperate attempt to win the race, giving Austin Hill to secure the win. The veterans of the sport didn’t hesitate to call out the youngsters for their lack of respect on the track and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell is the latest to call them out.

The record Xfinity Series rookie year winner, pointed out that he was mad seeing the race from his motorhome at Martinsville. He sees it as a disgrace for the sport and something embarrassing that shouldn’t be tolerated. Bell highlighted that the whole race was disappointing and asserted that the fans need to have events with a better standard.

I mean yesterday was absolutely infuriating. My blood was boiling inside the motorhome watching it. It was a disgrace for our sport. That should not be tolerated. Not just the last lap, but the whole thing. We’ve got to hold ourselves to better standards than that. That was embarrassing.

Christopher Bell told Claire B. Lang.

Further talking about the situation, Christopher Bell highlighted something needs to be done to put an end to the whole situation. He wants the youngsters to take inspiration from the recent Cup races that has seen some respectful racing.

I don’t know. Something has to be done. I think I said on the podium at COTA and said hopefully this is a step in the right direction, and the Cup races have been good.

Christopher Bell said.

He highlighted how the young racers were racing clean and fair, in the previous races, before things went back to how it always has been. Bell believes that the race on Saturday was absolutely embarrassing, and NASCAR has to step up to change the situation.

They’ve been really good and fair and clean. But yeah, yesterday was absolutely embarrassing. Something needs to be done. I don’t know where it starts probably in NASCAR. Yeah, that was bad.

Christopher Bell added.

NASCAR legend Jeff Burton shares his verdict on frustrating race

Former NASCAR Cup Series driver and the father of Xfinity Series racer Harrison Burton shared his thoughts on how bad the race was. The NBC race analyst pointed out that the entire race was unacceptable with how everyone was intentionally wrecking each other.

Well, it wasn’t – the problem, Steve, too, is it wasn’t just the finish. Like, the entire race was just unacceptable. People intentionally running into people, people intentionally wrecking people. It’s just unacceptable.

Jeff Burton told Steve Letarte.
Jeff Burton
Jeff Burton (Credits: NBC)

Further talking about the point, Burton called out the narrative some fans sharing on social media defending the drivers. He highlighted that the claims of the drivers not being talented enough to race clean is bull shi*e as he believes the over aggressive style is deliberate.

And what’s so frustrating about it is that, you’ll see on social media, ‘Well, these young brats, they don’t care, they’re not talented.’ Bullcrap.

Jeff Burton said.

He pointed out that the youngsters have good cars and talent, but lacks the respect to be successful on the track. Burton believes the youngster needs to learn accountability and NASCAR has to take this opportunity to do that.  

These are very good race car drivers. These guys have talent. It’s not that they don’t have talent; it’s that there’s the lack of respect, the lack of accountability, right, for these kind of actions. I would say, I look at this as an opportunity.

Jeff Burton added.

The comment from Burton is something everyone in the racing community can align with and it shows the time has come for NASCAR to take the necessary steps. The first thing to do is penalize driver such obvious mistakes.