It’s not every day you see someone apply video game skills to real life, but last year it really happened when NASCAR racer Ross Chastain recreated a move from the GameCube title NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup to secure the final championship qualifying spot.
While it was quite an impressive feat at the time, NASCAR has now announced changes to its new rules for the 2023 season – stating that this “exciting” stunt came with an “increased safety risk” – as well as endangering the safety of competitors, officials and spectators .
Instead of creating new rules, NASCAR will simply reinforce existing rules when it comes to maneuvers like the one performed by Chastain:
Chastain’s run around Turns 3 and 4 at Martinsville Speedway last October led to an enthralling finish as the No. 1 Chevrolet gained five positions in one set of turns, earning enough points to advance to the Championship 4.
While the move was exciting and widely praised for its creativity, it also came with an increased security risk. NASCAR will not add new text to the rulebook, instead pointing to Rule 10.5.2.6.A, which states: “Safety is a top priority for NASCAR and NEM (NASCAR Event Management). Therefore, any violations deemed to jeopardize the safety of the event or otherwise pose a dangerous threat to the safety of competitors, officials, spectators or others are treated with the utmost seriousness. Security violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.”
All drivers who try to drive on the wall in the future will be penalized with a time penalty. You can watch the recapitulation in the video attachment: