The NASCAR Cup Series driver was in violation of NASCAR’s new window net rule
NASCAR Cup Series drivers are on track tonight at Daytona International Speedway. It’s Daytona 500 qualifying at the 2.5-mile oval.
New for 2026, NASCAR has a new rule. Drivers are no longer allowed to place their hand between the window net and the a-post.
Noah Gragson is the driver of the No. 4 car for Front Row Motorsports. He turned a laptime at 49.504 seconds.
However, Gragson’s time has been disallowed. He was in violation of the new window net rule.
Clint Bowyer stated, “You can see it right there.”
Kevin Harvick stated, “Well, you gotta know the rules. That’s just an error on the driver’s part. As a driver, you gotta know what you’re responsible for. Noah, just didn’t do it right.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr stated, “This is the most Noah thing ever. Don’t touch that stove, it’s hot. Touches stove. Gets burnt. Says yes, it is hot.”
Noah Gragson comments
“I completely forgot about that rule,” Noah Gragson told Fox Sports.
“So, that one’s on me. Luckily, we have the Duels. I feel like the Daytona 500’s such a long race, you can kinda start wherever.”
Gragson added, “It is what it is. I feel like an idiot for that. Oh well, we got a race tomorrow. I’m dumb for that.”
Gragson will start at the tail of the Duel races. However, as a charter driver, he’s still locked into the Daytona 500.
New NASCAR rule
Rule 8.3.2
“K. As determined by NASCAR, once a vehicle exits pit road during a Qualifying attempt, the driver’s hands may not be used to redirect air in any manner including but not limited to, touching the window net, blocking air from entering the cockpit, redirecting air from the window, etc.”
Penalty: “Non-compliance will result in loss of Qualifying time.”
NASCAR adds a new rule preventing hands from redirecting air
