The scene was critical with tension flaring high as the Cup Series playoffs reached the 2nd eliminator in Charlotte. Sitting on the edge, 8th in the rankings, the 2012 Cup Series champion and RFK Racing co-owner gets a stiff one while he was battling through the tight turns of the road course.
NASCAR nation once again got livid, enraged seeing the organization’s flimsy track rules, one that might end drivers’ championship hopes. Battling the field and racing through the tight and technical makeshift road course, Brad Keselowski was slammed with a hefty penalty in Stage 1 of the race, infuriating fans as they trashed the sanctioning body for its petty rules.
Brad Keselowski slips at the Roval and gets a tight one from NASCAR
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
With the playoff action reaching the 2.2-mile road course in Charlotte for the 2nd post-regular season eliminator, the situation was dire for low-ranking drivers. While the #6 Ford driver Keselowski sat at 8th with 3060 points coming off 6 top 5 finishes, a single slip could have changed the course of his 2023 campaign.
To maintain his position in the rankings and advance to the round of 8, Keselowski needed to avoid mistakes and look to finish well. However, things did not go that way. In early stage 1, NASCAR’s frail rulebook cost the veteran valuable track positions when he was levied a pass-through penalty in the 19th lap of the race.
Missing the front stretch of the infamous chicane in Roval, the #6 Ford went off the track but continued its run, prompting the sanctioning body to hand a pass-through penalty. Now, according to NASCAR, the drivers are supposed to make a stop before they restart the race going off track into the grass, and unfortunately, Keselowski paid the price as he slipped down the front stretch missing the 2nd turn of the chicane.
Pay attention to the right side of the screen.
Brad Keselowski was given a pass-thru penalty for missing the chicane and NOT coming to a stop. #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/vLoVGJroXc
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 8, 2023
Seeing the veteran decked with a frail rule, fans did not sit idle. Online fans on social media bashed the organization for its seemingly insignificant and ridiculous norms.
Fans get livid as they bash NASCAR’s “Stupid rule”
Trending
NASCAR Rumor: 66-YO Surprise Daytona 500 Winner Could Make a Return to NASCAR in 2025
Amid Sleepless Nights, Tony Stewart’s Wife Leah Reveals Their 1-Month-Old Son’s 4 ‘Responsibilities’
NASCAR Found Guilty by Law After Offending Michael Jordan’s Team in Antitrust Lawsuit
Shane Van Gisbergen Discloses a Major Problem in NASCAR After Leaving Supercars
1 Year After Heartbreak, Shane van Gisbergen Dominates Rivals in Dirt Track Return
In order to advance into the next round of 8, Brad Keselowski had to avoid trouble in the tight narrow lane of Roval. For a few opening laps of the race he was able to until trouble came looking for him in the 19th when he was struck with a pass-through penalty. Missing the 2nd turn of the chicane, the #6 went across on the grass, prompting NASCAR to step in.
WATCH THIS STORY: Brad Keselowski’s superstar shockingly warns RFK Racing boss
With the organization poking the veteran with a seemingly insignificant and flimsy rule, fans jumped the scene, trashing NASCAR unmercifully. Reacting to Bob Pockrass, who relayed the news of the penalty, one fan openly said, “Still the stupidest rule. If you lose spots from it that’s punishment enough.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Keselowski had a pass-through for missing/cutting the chicane.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 8, 2023
Another user urged NASCAR to never race on the track considering the fiddling penalty; “NASCAR should never race the Roval again”
“Stupid rule”
“Bulls**t he did a fucking stop and go,” wrote another fan disappointed at the organization.
“Stupid. This is NASCAR not freaking IMSA or something”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad