Nascar tightens rules on in-race repairs

This is a major upheaval that was confirmed by the Nascar this Wednesday. The American series will tighten the screws on repairs to cars damaged in racing in the three Monster Energy Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck series.

If until now, teams could initiate, in the pit lane or in the garages, any procedure deemed necessary after contact or a crash and then send the cars back to the track, the rule will be severely tightened this year.

Indeed, any passage behind the pit wall or through the garages to repair damage following an accident or contact will no longer allow you to return to the track to continue the race.

In the event of a repair carried out in the pit lane, five minutes will be given to begin repairs. If this period of time is exceeded, the car will no longer be able to return to the track. If the repair is effective, the driver must be able to maintain the minimum speed defined for the event upon his return to the peloton.

“I've been involved in crash repairs and it's not a good situation in the garage with 20 people running around, oil dripping on the floor, things catching on fire and sharp metal going around. to be cut, recognizes Scott Miller, vice president of Nascar competition, which aims to maintain the maximum possible security in these circumstances.

This is quite a dangerous situation and sometimes it would be dangerous for the driver to re-enter a car that has been so heavily damaged. »

Teams will be authorized to repair mechanical or electrical breakdowns, which are not the result of an accident or contact, without penalty. These repairs can be carried out in the pits or in the garage area, and the five minute time will not count.

However, any driver receiving a penalty for excessive speed in the pits (entering or exiting) will lose 15 seconds of their five-minute allocation, and any team sending too many mechanics to the pitlane will have their car excluded.