NASCAR Pass-Through Penalty
As the sport’s governing body, NASCAR sets many rules in place to ensure fairness and to prevent cheating. There are also penalties that can be assessed for breaking those rules. Keep reading to learn about one of the most common types of rule violation, the pass-through penalty.
What Is a Pass-Through Penalty in NASCAR?
A pass-through penalty in NASCAR is a punishment for a rule violation in which a driver must slowly drive down pit lane during green-flag racing. Pass-through penalties are the mildest of the four levels of penalties in NASCAR. They are typically assessed for technical infractions that don’t affect competition or first offenses.
Pass-Through Penalty Infractions
A pass-through penalty will be assessed for any of the following infractions:
- Jumping the green flag on a start or restart
- Illegal lane changes during a start or restart
- Passing after the final turn when the “one to go” signal is shown before a restart
- Passing on a start or restart before the start/finish line
- Unapproved mechanical adjustments
- Failure to qualify because of multiple failed technical inspections
- Speeding on pit road
- Improper fueling
- Removing equipment from the designated pit area
- Driving through more than three pit stalls during a pit stop
Result of a Pass-Through Penalty
The result of any pass-through penalty is the driver being forced to drive through pit road at a designated slow speed before rejoining the race. Under green flag conditions at most tracks, this will result in a driver missing one full lap of the race and thus severely impeding their ability to place well in the race.
FAQ
How does a pass-through penalty work in NASCAR?
There are several minor infractions that result in a pass-through penalty. These include jumping the green flag on a start or restart, illegal lane changes during a start/restart, speeding on pit lane, passing after the final turn when the “one to go” signal is shown before a restart, passing on a start or restart before the start/finish line, making unapproved mechanical adjustments, or failing to qualify because of multiple failed technical inspections.
What happens if a driver commits a pass-through violation?
If a driver commits a pass-through violation, they will be forced to drive through the pit lane at a designated slow speed. On most tracks and under green flag conditions, this results in the loss of a lap and thus can severely impede the potential placement within the race.
What level of penalty is a pass-through penalty?
Pass-through penalties are the lowest level of penalty that a driver can commit in NASCAR racing. This is because pass-through penalties are generally assessed for the most minor infractions that may occur during a NASCAR race.