NASCAR acts against 'artificial' tactics after Richmond scandal
NASCAR has issued new guidelines to drivers and teams as it bids to stamp out the 'race manipulation' that marred last week's Richmond Sprint Cup round.
The clarifications were outlined by NASCAR chiefs Brian France, Mike Helton and Robin Pemberton in a meeting with Cup drivers at Chicagoland on Saturday, ahead of the opening Chase race at the track on Sunday afternoon.
A new rule has been instituted saying that "NASCAR requires its competitors to race at 100 per cent of their ability with the goal of achieving their best possible finishing position in an event.
"Any competitor who takes action with the intent to artificially alter the finishing positions of the event or encourages, persuades or induces others to artificially alter the finishing position of the event shall be subject to a penalty from NASCAR."
Helton listed "offering a position in exchange for favour or material benefit; offering material benefit in exchange for track position; directing a driver to give up a position to the benefit of another driver and intentionally causing a caution" among the prohibited practices, as well as deliberate crashes or collisions or withdrawing from a race to benefit another competitor.
NASCAR chairman France said a watershed moment was reached at Richmond, where Michael Waltrip Racing was heavily penalised for interfering with the race result and Penske and Front Row were investigated for potential collusion.
"Circumstances happen that are unhelpful in the credibility category," he said. "What we're about is the best racing in the world with the best drivers giving 100 per cent of their ability.
"If we get off that for any reason, then it's our job to have the rules of the road and the rules of the race such that it achieves that every day.
"We have dealt with it as best that we can, and we move on."
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