NASCAR has come under fire from the auto racing community for questionable penalties during last week’s Brickyard 400. Former Cup champions Brad Keselowski from RFK Racing and Chase Elliott Hendrick Motorsports receiving a penalty for a mix-line violation on the way back from the Indianapolis Oval.
Now a Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. delivered his verdict on the matter via his podcast Dale Jr. Download. He admitted the penalty imposed on Chase Elliott and Brad Keselowski were the two main points he wanted to criticize NASCAR for. He then explained how NASCAR implemented the rule for Sunday’s race.
There were a couple of things that, if I wanted to criticize NASCAR, there were a couple of penalties, and I think Brad and Chase Elliott received these penalties. So, when you exit pit road, you’re on the run-off lane. It’s this little strip of asphalt that’s separated from the race track. But right in between Turn 1 and Turn 2, it’s connected to the racing surface.Dale Earnhardt Jr. said via Dale Jr. Download.
He said drivers doing these types of maneuvers to get more acceleration on the backstretch by swinging and crossing things like that has been a very common example over the years at Indy. NASCAR had never studied this issue before, even after aggressive drivers have been seen swinging more than usual on occasions.
A lot of drivers swing out, crossing a couple white lines, to get a good angle of attack on this run-off, this exit lane, through Turn 2, so they could accelerate down the back straightaway. So, this is a really common move. Very common. Some drivers are more aggressive than others, in terms of how far they swing out, but it’s never been a topic of conversation.Dale Earnhardt Jr. added.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Says NASCAR Has Not Designated Any Specific Line
Continuing the discussion on the topic, the JRM co-owner pointed out that the content and explanations provided by NASCAR regarding the street car were not clear enough. He pointed out that it did not designate any specific line that should not be crossed, which caused confusion.
I know that NASCAR gave them some content, some explanation, about what they expect the drivers and teams to do in this area before the race. It really says pretty much what we all knew, ‘You can swing out, you can come off line and get out there a little bit close to the race track.’ It did not designate any specific line, or anything that you couldn’t cross. … I’ve seen so many cars go where they went.said Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Keselowski and Elliott weren’t happy with the decision either. With the Olympic break in full swing, the drivers are already done with the situation. But NASCAR shouldn’t be, as it should be looking into the matter to ensure that such an incident doesn’t happen again.
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