NASCAR has tightened its rulebook by introducing new penalty options for OEMs ahead of the 2025 racing season.
This move follows discussions surrounding adherence to rules by the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota, NASCAR's three OEMs. The updates aim to address potential violations and ensure fair play within the sport, via NASCAR itself.
NASCAR has taken a more defined approach to its penalty framework with the update to its rulebook's Section 10.5.2.8.c. The changes highlight specific penalties such as deducting 25 to 50 manufacturer points, removing between 30 to 60 wind-tunnel testing hours, limiting 250 to 500 Restricted Computational Fluid Dynamics test runs, and cutting back on vehicle tests.
These penalties are designed to limit any undue advantage manufacturers might gain, maintaining a level playing field for all involved.
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The modifications follow earlier updates announced in January, where NASCAR hinted at a more formal penalty structure. Section 10.5.2.8.A of the rulebook clarifies that NASCAR can determine OEM rule violations, allowing flexibility in assessing each situation's context while taking action to uphold competition integrity.
It says:
"NASCAR reserves the right to determine if an OEM has violated the NASCAR Rule Book and may impose penalties on the OEM or its representatives accordingly.
"The following framework serves as a general guideline for assessing OEM penalties. The examples provided are illustrative and not exhaustive, offering clarity on the types and ranges of infractions that may result in penalties, should NASCAR determine enforcement is warranted."
This comes after heated discussions over manufacturer penalties, reaching a critical point after the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. NASCAR deemed certain actions as violations of their Member Conduct rules due to issues like race manipulation, further igniting scrutiny on OEM behavior.
Section 5.5.A says:
"Any member who attempts to improperly influence the outcome of the event or encourages, persuades, or induces others to do so shall be subject to penalties, as outlined in Section 10 Violations and Disciplinary Action.
"Prohibited actions include, but are not limited to, intentional planning or conduct that prioritizes objectives other than achieving the best possible competitive result for their team."
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The upcoming NASCAR Cup Series for 2025 is set to kick off with the 67th Daytona 500 on February 16, a race that garners plenty of attention each year. Fans can catch it on FOX, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
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