NASCAR VP: “NASCAR is a contact sport”

How does NASCAR feel about aggressive driving?

Over the weekend, we saw what may or may not have been retaliation by Chase Elliott. Denny Hamlin says it was. Chase Elliott didn’t really say much but kind of agreed.

‘Boys have at it’ very much exists. It’s just taken on a different definition. Today, NASCAR cleared their stance on aggressive driving.

Related: Boys have at it, it still exists but the rules have changed

Does NASCAR have concern with contact?

“No,” Steve O’Donnell states via ‘The Morning Drive’ on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. “NASCAR is a contact sport.”

Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin at Phoneix International Raceway
AVONDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 12: Chase Elliott, driver of the #24 Hooters Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am 500 at Phoenix International Raceway on November 12, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)denny

“We feel like we can discern when something is so blatantly intentional. You know, where we have to come in an make a call, we will.”

“But, we’re not a sanctioning body or a sport that’s gunna determine an illegal pass. Based on where somebody went or slight contact, being illegal.”

Related: Chase Elliott vs Denny Hamlin at Phoenix (video)

Chase Elliott bumps Denny Hamlin at Phoenix Raceway
Chase Elliott bumps Denny Hamlin at Phoenix Raceway

“That’s what the sport is about. Certainly, when we have to get involved, we will. We feel like our drivers know our stance on it. Our teams do as well.”

“That’s gunna happen when there’s a lot on the line. We don’t expect them to kinda wave each other by, all day long. That’s not our sport and we wanna make sure that they know they can go out there and race each other hard.”

What NASCAR is trying to avoid is a F1 situation. In F1, every time two drivers make the slightest bit of contact a message appears to viewers. That message is, “The incident involving #? and #? is under investigation.”

More often than not, those announcements result in a penalty to one of the drivers. It’s frustrating to the fans. After all, this is racing and light contact is going to happen.

“But, they also know, when we need to get involved, we will. We’ll handle that, as necessary.”

“I think Chase said it, ‘Different drivers are gunna race how they were raced.’ That’s been part of the sport for years. I thought those two put on a great battle throughout the race.”

Is there any kind of microscope on select drivers heading into Homestead?

“No, we’re going to call the races as we always have.”

Related: NASCAR to look at minimum speed

Related: Before Phoenix, Denny Hamlin was asked if he was worried about retaliation

Links

Steve O’Donnell | Sirius XM NASCAR Radio | Chase Elliott | Denny Hamlin | Phoenix Raceway | NASCAR

Categories

Tags