NASCAR updates penalty, red flag procedures ahead of Richmond

NASCAR just sent out a couple of updates ahead of its return to the track at Richmond on Sunday. Per Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, NASCAR has updated an at-track penalty rule and a red flag procedure.

The at-track penalty rule, states, “At-track penalties that may be imposed as a result of a Pre-Race violation must be served after the affected vehicle receives a green flag on the racetrack and enters pit road under green flag conditions are there following – Pass-through, Stop and go and Holding a vehicle for a lap or time penalty.” Pockrass wrote if the flag comes out on the opening lap, the driver doesn’t drop to the rear on the restart.

The updated red flag procedure states, “Following red flag conditions, pushing assistance will be provided to vehicles unable to start. The pushing distance will be limited and determined solely by NASCAR to allow the vehicle an opportunity to start. Vehicles requiring additional assistance may be penalized with a Tail of the Field penalty.” It will be interesting to see either one of these happen at Richmond on Sunday.

NASCAR will have option tire at Richmond

NASCAR has four more races before the playoffs begin on Sept. 8. 12 drivers have clinched a spot, meaning several drivers in the bubble will do everything they can to get a win at Richmond to clinch a spot in the postseason. One big thing to watch for at Richmond is drivers will two Goodyear tire choices available. Goodyear will have a softer “option” tire with the benefit of a more short-term grip and a baseline “prime” tire” that provides more of a lasting ride.

“The All-Star Race is a great event obviously by itself, but it gives us the opportunity to learn,” Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, told NASCAR.com. “This past year, it gave us the chance to try something with tires, and we’re working really hard in NASCAR as well as the folks at the R&D Center to improve the short-track package. So the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro gave us the opportunity to introduce the option tire, something we’d never done to my knowledge in the history of our sport, to have different compounds during an event.”