Was NASCAR‘s Cup Series race on Sunday rigged?
One driver seems to think so.
Chase Elliott took home the checkered flag at the Cook Out 400 in Martinsville on Sunday. Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Ty Gibbs and William Byron rounded out the top five.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, Ryan Blaney, who finished in sixth place, was not happy. He felt that NASCAR was “rigging” the race for Elliott on Sunday afternoon.
Nov 2, 2025; Avondale, Arizona, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Blaney (right) poses for a photo with actress Sydney Sweeney prior to the NASCAR Championship race at Phoenix Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
(© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Blaney, 32, was not happy with the NASCAR sport leaders during Sunday’s race at Martinsville.
“I ain’t seen nothing but apparently a brake rotor on pit road,” his crew chief said.
“They threw a caution for a brake rotor on pit road!?” a stunned Blaney replied.
“Yeeeep,” the crew chief replied.
Advertisement
Blaney, clearly annoyed, said: “That’s hilarious.”
NASCAR fans react to the ‘rigging’ accusations
“Every race is rigged now. -rigged for Toyota -rigged for 23XI -rigged for Hamlin And now it’s rigged for Elliott? Like come on,” one fan wrote.
“So, why didn’t they throw the yellow when he was leading the 500 on the last lap?” one fan added.
“Of course they did chase is there golden boy and the only way he can win chase elliot is a joke,” one fan added.
Advertisement
“Except they would’ve called it way earlier, they waited until Hamlin got by Chase. Quite a few laps went by,” one fan added.
What did you make of the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday?
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the NASCAR section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
