NASCAR Adds Manufacturer Penalties to Rule Book, Details Point Deductions and Testing Restrictions
NASCAR has expanded its rule book to include explicit penalties for manufacturers (OEMs) who violate competition rules, particularly in response to the race manipulation incident at Martinsville Speedway involving Chevrolet and Toyota drivers.
The new section 10.5.2.8, titled "OEM penalties," establishes NASCAR's authority to penalize manufacturers and their representatives for rules violations. The specific penalty ranges include:
- Points deductions: 25 to 50 points
- Wind tunnel testing: Loss of 30 to 60 hours
- RCFD test runs: Reduction of 250 to 500 runs
- Vehicle testing: Loss of 2 to 4 tests
Three IndyCars racing at Phoenix
The rules also reference Section 5.5, which prohibits any attempts to improperly influence race outcomes or prioritize objectives other than achieving the best possible competitive result for their team.
These penalties are described as "illustrative and not exhaustive," giving NASCAR flexibility to address various types of violations while providing clear guidelines for manufacturers about potential consequences of rule infractions.
The update comes after the controversial Martinsville Speedway incident, where race manipulation required NASCAR officials to spend nearly 30 minutes reviewing the finish to determine Championship 4 qualifiers.