NASCAR has long been known for its strict rules and heavy penalties. Teams and drivers often face fines, suspensions, and point deductions for violations ranging from illegal car modifications to rulebook oversights. The sanctioning body prides itself on keeping competition fair. One major example came last season when NASCAR fined Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs Racing for an engine violation.

While NASCAR tried to set an example for others with their strict measures, recent events have sparked a fresh wave of skepticism among fans. The latest controversy over teams handling cars after inspection makes fans question NASCAR’s commitment to stopping cheating. Ahead of the upcoming The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass triggered a huge debate on social media. He recently shared an image from the iconic track.

The photo showed how NASCAR seals cars to prevent unauthorized adjustments. He revealed that teams cannot modify cars after the pre-race inspection. “All cars through tech. They have seals on them to keep teams from making adjustments. The boxes with their race shocks in them also have been sealed (wouldn’t have car ride in hauler with race shocks installed). The haulers stay at Charlotte and head to Bowman Gray on Friday,” Bob Pockrass wrote on Twitter.

While Pockrass’ comments were meant to show how NASCAR operates off-season fans were quick to point out a serious issue. The car’s trunk had two thin cables locking it shut. NASCAR used this to prevent teams from tampering with their cars. However, many fans found it weak. They argued that determined teams could easily bypass these basic seals. Notably, the skepticism surrounding NASCAR’s enforcement efforts stems from past incidents, including Hamlin’s penalty.

The 2024 race at Bristol Motor Speedway saw Denny Hamlin win against teammate Martin Truex Jr. He led more than 160 laps and dominated the track with his performance. However, after the victory, NASCAR hit Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing team with an L2-level penalty for an engine inspection infraction. NASCAR fined his crew chief, Chris Gabehart, $100,000 and docked 75 championship points each from Hamlin and JGR. Notably, Hamlin also lost 10 playoff points, affecting his title chances.

While the issue stemmed from an error by Toyota Racing Development, Hamlin and JGR were at the receiving end. Many fans saw the penalty as a case of NASCAR being reactive rather than proactive. NASCAR realized the mistake only after the engine had already been used in another race, raising concerns about the effectiveness of their oversight. Now the recent images led to questions arising about car sealing and post-inspection security.

Fans hilariously mock NASCAR’s efforts

NASCAR’s approach to preventing rule-breaking has led to a wave of skepticism among fans. Many believe teams will always find creative ways to bypass restrictions, and NASCAR’s current security methods are not as airtight as they appear. One fan sarcastically questioned how long it would take for teams to find a way around the cable seals. “I wonder how long we will have to wait to find out about the extremely creative shenanigans attempted to be pulled in this deal lol,” a fan wrote.

Another fan echoed the sentiment and said, “I was thinking about that earlier. Would have been funny to hear down the road how two crew members hid in the hauler and made some unapproved adjustments to the car while it was in transport from inspection in Charlotte to Bowman Gray.” Notably, these comments reflect the growing disbelief among fans over NASCAR’s anti-cheating efforts.

While NASCAR doesn’t leave a stone unturned in enforcing rules, such poor security efforts raise questions. Notably, this is not the first time when NASCAR faced such questions. Last year Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell had alleged NASCAR of robbing him of a championship 4 spot after he ‘rode the wall.’ Bell even alleged NASCAR of race manipulation and race fixing. “I could very clearly see the race manipulation and the race fixing that was going on,” Bell said.

While Bell’s comments were for a completely different issue, they reflect the growing disconnect over anti-cheating efforts in the spot. However, some fans also gave a simple solution to the issue. “Why don’t they just seal the hauler doors?” This comment makes more sense, as sealing the car itself doesn’t prevent access through other means. If teams truly wanted to make adjustments, they could theoretically do so inside the hauler without touching the exterior seals.

The backlash over NASCAR’s handling of cheating isn’t just about Hamlin’s fine or the new security seals. Fans have long felt frustrated with NASCAR’s inconsistent penalties for different infractions. Some teams receive heavy fines and point deductions, while others appear to get away with similar or worse violations. The lack of transparency in NASCAR’s decision-making process has only fueled more distrust. As the 2025 season approaches, fans would expect NASCAR to improve their security measures.