Straight from the rule book: Why NASCAR penalized Kenseth

Matt Kenseth came across the finish line eighth Monday at Chicagoland Speedway but when the results were posted, he was listed as finishing 21st, a lap behind the leaders.

What happened?

Kenseth ran out of fuel on the last lap and was pushed by J.J. Yeley for a portion of that lap. That is against the rules. Thus, NASCAR penalized Kenseth by placing him behind all the cars that finished on the lead lap. Thus, he was 21st.

It didn’t matter if Kenseth wanted to be pushed or not. NASCAR does not penalize intent but actions.

Here’s the section of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rule Book that addresses the issue.

On page 28 under Section 10 (Race Procedures) reads this:

10-7 White Flag

B. In the judgment of NASCAR Officials, a car(s) may not receive assistance after the leader has received the white flag at the start/finish line except cars making a pit stop. Violation will result in the car not being scored on that lap.

C. In the judgment of the Series Director, the car or team providing the assistance after the leader has received the white flag at the start/finish line may be subject to a post-race lap(s) or time penalty and scoring corrections.’’

Yeley was not penalized. NASCAR penalized Kenseth by doing what the rule book says and not scoring him on the lead lap.

Before everyone goes nuts about how the cars push each other at Daytona and Talladega, please again read  Section B and C and notice it says: “In the judgment of’’ NASCAR Officials and the Series Director. Judgment is the key. Everyone knows that the two-car draft is the racing style at Daytona and Talladega, thus there is not going to be a penalty there (unless someone is out of fuel and needs a push to get around the track).

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