Trackhouse Tries to Pull a Fast One And NASCAR Isn’t Having It
You can almost hear the engines revving and smell the burning rubber, can’t you? Well, it seems the action at the track didn’t stop when the checkered flag dropped on Sunday. NASCAR’s got its eyes on Trackhouse Racing, and let’s say it’s not because they were admiring the paint scheme. Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, two of the sport’s most talked-about drivers, decided to take a little off-road excursion on the cool-down lap.
We’re not talking a scenic Sunday drive, either. They steered their machines right through the infield grass, looking like they were mowing a new lawn at 50 mph. Now, you and I might think they were having a bit of fun, but the folks in the NASCAR tower saw something else entirely.
They saw a potential attempt to pack some extra weight onto their cars via dirt, grass, maybe a stray gopher, and all right before heading to the scales for post-race inspection. It’s a move that brings back memories of old-school racers trying every trick in the book to find an edge. You gotta respect the hustle, but in today’s NASCAR, that kind of creativity can land you in some serious hot water.
NASCAR Puts Trackhouse on Notice
Brad Moran, the Cup Series managing director, didn’t mince words. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, he made it clear that a “discussion” is on the schedule.”We’ll be having some discussions with Trackhouse management, as well as their crew chiefs,” Moran stated, his tone leaving little to the imagination.
“It certainly caught our radar… we have rules that could put the teams in a real bad spot when we see that.” You can feel the tension in that statement. It’s the kind of talk that precedes hefty fines or points penalties, especially with the playoffs in full swing. Chastain and van Gisbergen, both playoff contenders, finished 24th and 25th. Every single point is precious right now.
Chastain is sitting just 19 points above the cutline, while SVG is 15 points below, desperately trying to claw his way in. A penalty for Trackhouse playing in the grass could be a devastating blow to their championship hopes. Moran promised that NASCAR will make things “pretty clear” to all teams before the cars hit the track at Bristol. Translation: Don’t even think about it.
The Pit Stop Controversy: A Loophole or Smart Racing?
The drama doesn’t end there. Another hot topic making the rounds is the pit stall shuffle. We’ve seen it more and more lately: a driver feels a loose wheel, so instead of pulling into their own pit box, they stop in a teammate’s stall for a quick tighten-up before rejoining the race. It’s technically a penalty for pitting outside the box, but many fans are screaming for a harsher punishment.
They see it as exploiting a loophole, plain and simple. However, on this issue, NASCAR is holding its ground. Moran explained the sanctioning body’s perspective, and it all boils down to one word: safety.”We certainly do not want tires out on the racetrack when cars are running at speed,” he said. “If there’s a way to prevent that… that’s a pretty big penalty.”
He’s referencing the danger of a loose wheel flying off at 180 mph. Compared to that potential disaster, a driver getting a quick fix in a neighboring stall seems like the lesser of two evils. For now, NASCAR is “comfortable with it,” prioritizing safety over adding another layer of penalties. However, Moran left the door open, admitting that things could change for Trackhouse in the future.
Potential Implications for Bristol
As the playoffs heat up, so does the pressure. Teams like Trackhouse are pushing every limit, blurring the lines between genius and rule-breaking. It’s what makes this sport so damn compelling. One thing is certain. All eyes will be on Chastain, SVG, and the entire Trackhouse team as we head to Bristol. They’re under the microscope, and they know it.
