USA Today via Reuters
Aug 21, 2022; Watkins Glen, New York, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger (16) leads a pack of cars during the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 21, 2022; Watkins Glen, New York, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger (16) leads a pack of cars during the Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Normally in NASCAR, in the event of a wreck, the drivers and teams are allowed to make repairs and rejoin the race. However, teams cannot take their sweet time and fix their cars. Instead, there is a time limit of six minutes, so teams are really put under pressure. Unfortunately, with the Next Gen cars, organizations still have to get used to them.
NASCAR increasing the damaged vehicle policy clock from six minutes to 10 minutes for the playoffs. Teams felt they needed that time for the Next Gen.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 31, 2022
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Now, ahead of the Cup Series Playoffs, the officials are granting some leeway. So, instead of six minutes, the teams now have 10 minutes to fix any damage sustained during the Playoff races. Ordinarily, this would seem like a good call, especially since the cars are not even a year old. However, there were a fair number of people who criticized the timing of the rule change.
What did the NASCAR fans say about the sudden rule change?
The general consensus was that the rule change came far too late. Additionally, some noted that it is difficult for drivers to get up to minimum speed, especially when the caution laps are limited and drivers have to really hustle to make the minimum speed limit. Others were simply baffled at NASCAR trying to change the rules in the middle of the season.
Little late now when it doesn't really matter anymore?
— CanadiensFan (@GuhleSzn) August 31, 2022
Will anyone wreck in the last 10 races?
— D (@parlayD13) August 31, 2022
I guess that's because you can't get up to minimum speed under caution and when you have 8 laps of caution and the clock runs out @NASCAR says sorry you didn't make minimum speed goto the garage.
— Keith Fav (@TKO_AIR) August 31, 2022
what about explaining why some drivers get put on the clock without even being touched in the wreck?
— Sean (@SeanMcFarlan) August 31, 2022
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 7, 2022; Brooklyn, Michigan, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) and driver Christopher Bell (20) lead the pack at the beginning of the race at Michigan International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Changing rules mid season is an L
— Jake Metivier (@JakeMetivier78) August 31, 2022
Making up the rules as we go again!
— 🇺🇸 Mass Formation PsyBROsis (@JakeGlidden1) August 31, 2022
There should be no clock at all do it like the old days
— pk (@kattnerpaul) August 31, 2022
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Why not just Start and Stop the clock when In and Out The Box not Count the pit road time
— Matthew Kendrick (@Ch9seFan) August 31, 2022
Few fans even accused the sport of just trying to make up the rules as they go along. Others simply wanted NASCAR to abolish the clock entirely, like how it used to be in the old days. Some even suggested that the clock should not even include time spent in the pit lane. There were even suggestions that this could be a pointless exercise.
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Drivers may be more careful during the Playoffs and will want to avoid wrecks. That said, many Playoff contenders will hope that Ross Chastain and Joey Logano will not be up to their usual aggressive antics. The last thing that anyone needs is a wreck and an endless cycle of vengeance.
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