Jimmie Johnson says he knows the rules governing restarts.
Ryan Newman says “What rule?”
Johnson was upset that Matt Kenseth, in Johnson’s words, “stopped the field” by failing to maintain pace car speed during a pivotal restart late in the race. Kenseth pulled away after the restart, but Johnson spun in traffic and lost an excellent chance to win.
But is there a rule requiring drivers to maintain pace car speed once the pace car drops off the track?
Technically, not.
There’s no language in the Sprint Cup rule book governing that aspect of restarts. Nor is there any specific mention on the penalty sheet handout NASCAR provides to crew chiefs and media.
In a video presentation at every drivers’ meeting, NASCAR encourages drivers to maintain pace car speed approaching the restart box (delineated by red marks on the wall), but Newman views that less as an edict and more as a suggestion.
“He’s in control of the field, and, no, he doesn’t have to maintain pace car speed,” Newman said of the lead driver on restarts. “He’s asked to maintain pace car speed, but there’s no penalty if you don’t.
“He can do whatever he wants. Just because you’re asked to do something doesn’t mean you have to do something.”
NASCAR, however, reserves the right to step in if a driver tries to manipulate a restart excessively, but Newman is right — there’s no written rule on maintaining pace car speed after the pace car leaves the track.
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