NASCAR exec hints at Tuesday news; 'expects' more meetings with drivers
NASCAR officials have already had post-race conversations with drivers Trevor Bayne and Jennifer Jo Cobb. On Tuesday, the sanctioning body likely will react in a more stern fashion.
Bayne and Cobb exited their cars prior to the arrival of safety workers during separate races this past weekend at Dover International Speedway, a move forbidden by the sanctioning body except under extenuating emergency conditions.
The rule was enacted following the death of 20-year-old Kevin Ward in August of last year during a non-NASCAR sanctioned race in New York. Ward left his car and approached three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart and was struck by Stewart's car.
At Dover, Cobb was involved in an accident with race leader Tyler Reddick early in Friday's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. She climbed out of her truck and walked up the track to gesture at Reddick as he and the rest of the field circled around the track under caution.
RELATED: Watch Cobb's angry reaction
Bayne (Roush Fenway Racing) was involved in a three-car incident during Sunday's FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks. He dropped his safety net and exited his No. 6 Ford before the arrival of emergency workers.
RELATED: Bayne crushes car at Dover
"Certainly what you saw with Trevor and with Jennifer Jo -- both drivers were called to the hauler and we'll look at both of those incidents, like we always do, Tuesday, but for us it's a safety issue," Steve O’Donnell, executive vice president and chief racing development officer for NASCAR, told NASCAR.com on Monday. "We want to keep the race track as safe as possible for the competitors. You'll likely see us react to that a little bit more on Tuesday."
Such incidents are considered behavioral infractions, and NASCAR officials address each situation individually. Among the penalties NASCAR may employ, if warranted, are probation, fines, suspension of the annual hard card or loss of points.
The requirement to remain in one's vehicle until emergency workers arrive following an accident is reiterated during each driver's meeting prior to an event, O'Donnell said.
"The drivers are required to stay in their car if they are involved in an incident, unless of course there are extenuating circumstances, i.e., the vehicle is on fire, smoke, whatever that may be," he said. "… Under no circumstances should anyone walk across the track or down to the apron."
• O'Donnell said the meeting between officials and a select group of drivers Saturday evening at Dover was the result of ongoing conversations between the two parties.
The two groups met to discuss several topics, including safety and the 2016 rules package for the Sprint Cup Series.
Among the drivers participating were Denny Hamlin (Joe Gibbs Racing), Stewart (Stewart-Haas Racing), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Hendrick Motorsports) and defending series champion Kevin Harvick (SHR).
"We've always had dialogue with the drivers, probably in a more formal capacity at the beginning of the year," O'Donnell said. "We sit down with all of them in January.
"If you look back over the last 12 months we formed an OEM council (consisting of representatives from Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota), we've met with a lot of the tracks. This is an idea that came in discussions with the drivers to look at a little bit more of a formal driver council.
"So the meeting in Dover was the first. We expect more to happen and some great dialogue not only about what's going on today in the sport, but what's really cool about our drivers is they want to talk about the future and how we work together to grow the sport."
O'Donnell said there were "parameters" in place concerning the drivers allowed to participate, "but the drivers ultimately selected who could be there from their standpoint.
"A really good start to just continuing to communicate with the industry. Certainly the drivers not only in a one-one-one basis, but (also) in this capacity a little bit more formalized.
"We can talk candidly about some things that we see maybe down the line … that aren't fully baked and get their thoughts on it and drivers can do the same. Obviously talk about any issues they may have, but I think just as importantly … what are some future ideas that we may want to work together on? Then we go from there and involve the other stakeholders in the sport and then make decisions as we look to grow the sport going forward."