After Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell was penalized on pit road during last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, competition officials have clarified how NASCAR will rule on drivers stopping in another team’s stall for service.
If a vehicle receives service in another team’s pit stall in an effort to correct a safety issue, the vehicle will receive a flag status penalty. The vehicle will either restart at the tail of the field or receive a pass-through for pitting outside the assigned pit box.
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During the Pennzoil 400, Bell exited his pit box with a loose left-front wheel. Instead of going out on the track and returning to pit road to tighten the loose wheel, Bell stopped in the No. 19’s pit stall, belonging to JGR teammate Chase Briscoe.
The No. 19 crew tightened Bell’s loose wheel before the No. 20 driver returned to the track. Bell was penalized for pitting outside the box and sent to the rear of the field for the restart.
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If a vehicle receives service in another team’s pit stall for competition adjustments, the vehicle may receive a lap(s) penalty.
Besides tightening loose wheel nuts or lug nuts, the removal of a fuel can, wedge wrench or jack from under a vehicle are other safety issues that will result in a flag status penalty.