NASCAR has issued a formal warning to its drivers after a controversial incident involving Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen at the Gateway race on Sunday. The issue stemmed from both drivers steering their cars onto the grass as they entered the access road in Turn 3 immediately after crossing the finish line, raising concerns about their actions with respect to current regulations.
Mike Forde, NASCAR’s spokesperson, addressed the situation during the Hauler Talk podcast, emphasizing that the organization disapproved of the move.
“We did see what the 88 (van Gisbergen) and 1 (Chastain) were doing … and we did not care for it. Not one bit,”
Forde said. He further clarified NASCAR’s stance:
“We didn’t think what Trackhouse did went to the level (of a penalty). I think we’re going to give them a little bit of a warning.”
Forde also stressed the importance of making other teams aware that NASCAR will be monitoring similar actions going forward:
“aware that we are going to be looking at this.”
Rulebook and Official Responses to Post-Race Conduct
According to Dustin Long from NBC Sports, the NASCAR Cup Rule Book’s Section 6.4.2.1.B specifically states that all vehicles are under impound once they receive the checkered flag or if the race ends due to adverse conditions. The rule forbids any alterations or adjustments during the cool-down lap or on pit road prior to inspection. NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran confirmed on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that officials intend to discuss the episode with Trackhouse Racing representatives.
“We’ll be having some discussions with Trackhouse management, as well as our crew chiefs. And we’ll be giving all the teams some information regarding that this week,”
Moran explained. He acknowledged that the incident had attracted NASCAR’s attention and pointed out the potential consequences:
“But, yeah, I know it certainly caught our radar, and we have rules that could put them, put the teams in a real bad spot when we see that. So, we’ll make it pretty clear to them moving forward, starting at Bristol, what that means.”
Impact on Playoff Drivers Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen
Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, both among the 16 playoff drivers, finished 24th and 25th respectively at Gateway, a result placing them under pressure for upcoming races. Chastain currently holds a slim 19-point lead above the playoff cut line, while van Gisbergen stands 15 points below, intensifying the urgency for strong performances.
Chastain secured his playoff spot by winning the Coca-Cola 600 in May, while van Gisbergen earned his berth after winning the Mexico City race in June, followed by victories in three additional road-course events. The recent warning from NASCAR underscores the importance of adhering strictly to race protocols as the playoffs progress.
Outlook and NASCAR’s Enforcement Going Forward
NASCAR’s warning signals a stricter approach to monitoring driver conduct post-race, aiming to ensure compliance with established safety and procedural rules. The discussions planned with Trackhouse Racing and the clear instructions to teams ahead of upcoming races, such as Bristol, indicate that NASCAR plans to enforce these regulations more rigorously.
This incident highlights the delicate balance teams and drivers must maintain between competitive tactics and regulatory compliance as the season advances, particularly under the scrutiny of playoff contention. The coming weeks will reveal how NASCAR’s warning influences behavior on the track and what additional actions might follow should violations persist.
