NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR's 2023 rule changes are steps in the right direction

By Ryan McCafferty | Last updated 2/1/23

NASCAR has often been met with negative responses from fans due to various changes to the sport, such as the playoff format and stage racing.

However, this year's rules package is full of nothing but positives.

NASCAR will eliminate stage breaks at road courses except for Truck and Xfinity stand-alone events. Points still awarded
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 31, 2023

Losing a wheel this year:
on pit road under yellow-start at rear end.
on pit road under geen-pass-thru penalty

losing wheel beyond pit road:
2-lap penalty, 2-race suspension for 2 crew members (series director call),
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 31, 2023

These OVAL events will have "rain" tires for damp conditions: Clash, IRP, Martinsville, Milwaukee, New Hampshire, North Wilkesboro Phoenix, Richmond (not Dover, not Bristol). Cars must wiper motors (wipers themselves optional) and the rear lights for the races.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 31, 2023

The headliner here is that road courses will no longer have scheduled cautions at the end of stages. Many fans believe that stage racing has hurt the strategy element at such tracks because you no longer have the uncertainty of when the cautions will fall. This should help with that.

The change to the loose wheel penalty is also a long overdue tweak. Previously, losing a wheel was a six-week suspension for both the tire changer and crew chief, which was far too harsh.

Instituting rain tires on some of the shorter, flatter ovals is another step forward. This means those tracks are less likely to have races delayed or postponed due to inclement weather.

A few other changes were a bit more controversial. Namely, NASCAR has outlawed the "Ross Chastain move" that broke the internet last fall. This is probably the right decision, too. As awesome as it was for the sheer boldness and creativity behind it, it's not something we want everyone else to start trying.

Finally, NASCAR extended the Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) clock from six to seven minutes. This seems rather pointless. If the DVP clock must exist at all, then it should be 10 minutes at a minimum. This still isn't enough time to fix a damaged car.

Still, overall, there are few complaints to be had with this year's rule changes, and there's a lot to look forward to for the upcoming season. Drivers will take to the track for the first time Sunday as they compete in the Clash at the L.A. Coliseum.

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