NASCAR Passes New Rule In Wake Of Stewart Accident

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of the tragedy that took place in Upstate New York that resulted in the tragic death of Kevin Ward Jr. it was expected that NASCAR may look into making some rule changes. While some critics were against the idea of NASCAR having a ‘knee jerk’ reaction others felt that a new rule was long overdue. Earlier this week NASCAR announced that they were indeed going to make a new rule to address drivers getting out of their cars on the racetrack.

More from NASCAR

The new rule which is marked in section 9-16 reads as follows:

During an Event, if a racecar is involved in an on-track incident and/or is stopped on or near the racing surface and unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating emergency conditions exist with the racecar (i.e. fire, smoke in cockpit, etc.) the driver should take the following steps:

Shut off electrical power and, if driver is uninjured, lower window net.
Do not loosen, disconnect or remove any driver personal safety equipment until directed to do so by safety personnel or a NASCAR/Track Official.
After being directed to exit the racecar, the driver should proceed to either the ambulance, other vehicle, or as otherwise directed by safety personnel or a NASCAR/Track Official.
At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach any portion of the racing surface or apron.
At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach another moving vehicle.

All vehicles not involved in the incident or that are able to continue afterwards should slow down to a cautious speed as outlined in Section 10-4 (Yellow Flag), use extreme care as they approach an incident scene, and follow any directions given by safety personnel or NASCAR/Track Officials. Cars in line behind the safety car should not weave or otherwise stray from the line in the vicinity of the incident.

The new rule may be one that was triggered by what took place in Upstate New York but it is also a rule that NASCAR needs. In the heat of the moment drivers need to be protected from themselves and this rule will hopefully do that. Regardless of how you feel about the Stewart accident, you cannot deny that it would not have happened had Ward Jr. remained in his car. At the NASCAR press conference Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition and racing development commented on the new rule.

"Throughout the history of our sport, NASCAR has reviewed and analyzed situations and occurrences that take place not just in NASCAR racing but also throughout all motorsports and other sports. When we believe we can do something to make our sport safer and better for the competitors and others involved in the competition environment, we react quickly. Safety always has been priority number one at NASCAR."

At the time of this writing there is still no word on the future of Tony Stewart moving forward. What is known is that Stewart will not partake in this weekends NASCAR Sprint Cup race from Michigan. Be sure to check back with Beyond the Flag for all of the latest NASCAR news and updates.

Christopher Olmstead is the Editor of BeyondTheFlag.com on the FanSided Network. Follow us on Twitter @Beyond_The_Flag and “Like” us on Facebook.

Home/NASCAR