NASCAR reveals reason for recent subtle rule change
By Asher Fair
NASCAR made a subtle rule change during the summer break pertaining to the color of the window nets of the cars. Now the reason has been revealed.
During the three-week hiatus in the NASCAR Cup Series schedule that came as a result of NBC’s broadcast commitment for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, NASCAR added five words to a rule pertaining to the window nets of the cars.
The rule had read, “Driver’s window nets must be black”, but NASCAR added an exception to that rule. That same rule now reads, “Driver’s window nets must be black, unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR”.
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NASCAR has updated a rule on colors for window nets (my guess is some teams might want to use something other than black) ... rule was "Driver's window nets must be black" ... now it is "Driver's window nets must be black, unless otherwise authorized by NASCAR."
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 30, 2021
The initial belief was that this change had something to do with sponsorship/paint schemes of the cars, perhaps in preparation of the debut of the Next Gen car next year, when several things about the look of the cars are already set to change.
However, the update did say “authorized”, not just “approved”, by NASCAR, so it appeared to be something more than teams simply wanting to do something to appease their partners.
Now we know that it was indeed more than that.
Because of a letter he received from young fan Mason Bradley, Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kurt Busch has launched the “Window of Hope” to show support for breast cancer survivors and for those who continue to suffer from breast cancer.
As a result, Busch and many other drivers will be running pink window nets in the race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Inspired by young fan Mason Bradley, @KurtBusch has launched "Window of Hope" to show support for breast cancer survivors & those who continue their fight.
— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) September 28, 2021
The initiative includes a pink window net that Busch & others will be sporting next month @CLTMotorSpdwy.#KB1 | #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/VbujzZ25tN
So many people, teams & companies to thank for making Window of Hope a reality…but especially Mason Bradley, who wrote me a letter with this idea. Really happy we could finally meet! https://t.co/OvYIpDsniT pic.twitter.com/q76ct0J5d4
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) September 29, 2021
Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass confirmed that this initiative is the reason for the rule change, which came roughly two months ago now.
This is why NASCAR revised the rule to say window nets had to be black but could be a different color with NASCAR approval. https://t.co/b3ZelUy3ls
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 28, 2021
The Bank of America ROVAL 400 is set to be broadcast live on NBC from the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 10. Before then, the Cup Series is set to run the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, which is also set to be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET this Sunday, October 3.
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