In a recent directive, NASCAR has provided further detail to racing teams, affirming that it’s permissible to pit in another team’s pit stall, predominantly due to safety considerations. This clarification comes in the wake of an incident involving the Toyota of Christopher Bell, driven by Joe Gibbs Racing, during the recent race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
In an intriguing turn of events, Bell’s left-front wheel was fastened in the pit stall of his teammate Chase Briscoe. This strategy was a well-calculated move by Bell’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, who was cognizant that such a maneuver was within the rules. This decision not only raised eyebrows across the industry this week but also led to a penalty for Bell for pitting outside his allocated pit stall. NASCAR has confirmed that such penalties will persist in the future.
To further elucidate the rules surrounding pit stops, NASCAR issued a directive to all teams across its three national series. As per the directive, if a driver receives support in another team’s pit stall to rectify a safety concern, they will incur a flag status penalty. This penalty could result in the vehicle restarting from the tail of the field or having to pass through. The directive listed a range of safety issues that could warrant such a pit stop, including tightening loose wheel nuts or lug nuts, removal of a fuel can, a wedge wrench, or the jack from beneath the vehicle.
However, if a vehicle stops in a different team’s pit stall for competitive adjustments, a lap or multiple lap penalties may be imposed.
In essence, there have been no modifications to the existing rules, only further clarifications. The overarching principle is NASCAR’s preference for addressing safety issues on pit road, rather than risking equipment or tires detaching from a vehicle on the racetrack. This recent directive provides valuable insights into the intricate strategies and safety considerations employed in NASCAR racing.