Race audio offers inside view of final Richmond laps

Jeff Gluck | USA TODAY Sports

Social media lit up when Clint Bowyer spun with seven laps remaining at Richmond, the final race of NASCAR's regular season that sets the 12-driver championship field. With Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. among a handful of drivers fighting for a wild card slot, the timing and the way Bowyer spun seemed suspicious to some.

MWR teammate Brian Vickers also has been embroiled in the controversy thanks to math. Numbers from the last lap reveal the following: Vickers ran a 79.564-mph lap — more than 30-50 mph slower than any other car in the top 25. Bowyer also managed to lose two laps and nine positions by seemingly dawdling in the pits despite a fairly harmless spin that caused little damage to his No. 15 Camry.

The result? Joey Logano gained enough points on Jeff Gordon to knock him from the top 10 -— and a championship berth — and open a wild-card slot for Truex Jr.

Here's a look at the audio from Bowyer and Vickers, via NASCAR video and The Associated Press' Jenna Fryer.

NASCAR said Sunday it is reviewing the race and would have no further statement until that process is complete. After the race, Sprint Cup Series director John Darby told USA TODAY Sports. "Although we watch it — we make a point of mentioning it in the drivers' meeting and everything — I don't think anybody realistically believes that was the case with the 15 car."

You be the judge: conspiracy, teamwork or just racin'?

Clint Bowyer audio

With nine laps to go

Spotter Brett Griffin: "(No.) 39 (Ryan Newman) is going to win the race. … Well, that kinda sucks. Nine more (laps) right here."

Crew chief Brian Pattie: "Is your arm starting to hurt? I bet it's hot in there. Itch it."

Clint Bowyer: "Oh yeah."

Griffin: "Right with you, 88 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.). Right with you, right with you, right with you."

(Bowyer spins out)

Pattie: "I think that tire was going down the whole time, man."

Brian Vickers audio

(With four laps to go)

Crew: "We're probably going to pit here on green."

Vickers: "Are you talking to me?

Crew: "Yeah, we're going to pit."

Vickers: "What? I've got to pit? … I don't understand. Pit right now?"

Crew: "You've got to pit this time. We need that one point."

Vickers: "10-4. Do I got a tire going down?"

Crew: "Yeah. … Come down pit road right now, get a good look at it."

Vickers: "Did you find anything?"

Crew: "I'll see you after the race, Brian. I owe you a kiss."

Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck