NASCAR will warn Cup Series teams of significant penalties — possibly up to a disqualification — awaiting cars that take off-road excursions after the checkered flag in the future.
During the latest episode of the “Hauler Talk” podcast, managing director of communications Mike Forde said NASCAR’s weekly competition update would address the Trackhouse Racing Chevrolets of Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen running through the infield grass during the cooldown lap of Sunday’s race at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.
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“We did not care for it, not one bit,” Forde said. “We’re going to just remind teams this is something where we actually have a rule. I think we’re going to give (Trackhouse) a little bit of a warning. But there is a rule that says what they did — you could argue — broke a rule, and there could have been repercussions for it. But I think we’re going to allow the teams sort of a gimme here and say moving forward be aware that we are going to be looking at this.”
Per Rule 6421.b, cars are considered to be under impound conditions immediately after the checkered flag and must not be altered or adjusted in any manner during the cooldown lap or on pit road prior to reporting to the inspection areas.
“That is something that we’ll frown upon in a significant way,” Forde said. “Whether that is going to be an in-race penalty or a DQ, that is going to be determined after the event. It depends on how blatant the violation was. I don’t think we’re going to outline exactly what the repercussions would be because we’re going to take it on a case-by-case basis.”
With Chastain and van Gisbergen both in the playoffs and facing post-race inspection at Gateway, Forde said the Trackhouse drivers likely were trying to ensure their cars made minimum weight, adding NASCAR has noticed cars trying to run over debris after the race. Last year, Alex Bowman was disqualified and subsequently eliminated from the playoffs for failing to make minimum weight after the second-round cutoff race at the Charlotte Roval.
“These teams are pushing it so close to the line on weight,” Forde said. “They know exactly how to math it out where we give them a 17-pound tolerance after the race. In Darlington, we measured every single playoff car, and there were a couple of cars that were within a pound of almost failing and being DQ’d.”
Other topics covered by Forde and NASCAR senior director of racing communications Amanda Ellis during the 32nd episode of “Hauler Talk,” which explores competition issues:
— The backstory of how a brake marker sign fell on the track during the race at World Wide Technology Raceway.
— The continuing trend of drivers getting service from another team’s pit crew.
— How NASCAR decides on stage lengths.
— The new right-side tire for the Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
— Round 2 clinch scenarios for the Cup Series playoffs.
— The impact of Austin Hill’s loss of Xfinity Series playoff points.
— What’s ahead for the Cup Series Playoff Committee.
Click on the embed above to listen or search for “Hauler Talk” wherever you download podcasts to hear it on your phone, tablet or mobile device.
Nate Ryan has written about NASCAR since 1996 while working at the San Bernardino Sun, Richmond Times-Dispatch, USA TODAY and for the past 10 years at NBC Sports Digital. He is a contributor to the “Hauler Talk” show on the NASCAR Podcast Network. He also has covered various other motorsports, including the IndyCar and IMSA series.