Motorsports athletes are known for their intense passion and unfiltered emotions, especially when they feel wronged. A recent Formula 1 incident highlighted this when Max Verstappen, a four-time champion, harshly criticized Abu Dhabi stewards, calling them “stupid idiots” after receiving a penalty for colliding with Oscar Piastri at Yas Marina Circuit.
A similar situation unfolded following the 2025 Daytona 500, where Kyle Busch took to X, venting his frustration over NASCAR’s updated Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP). His tweet accused officials of not knowing their own rules after he was parked under the revised regulations. However, Tommy Baldwin, owner of Tommy Baldwin Racing and competition director at Rick Ware Racing, offered a different perspective on the matter.
On the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Bubba Wallace, Freddie Kraft, Tommy Baldwin, and Karsyn Elledge discussed the highs and lows of Speedweeks at Daytona. One key topic was NASCAR’s revised DVP rules and how they impacted Kyle Busch’s race with Richard Childress Racing (RCR).
Baldwin explained how the policy had changed. Previously, a car could be towed to pit road and had seven minutes to complete repairs (eight minutes at Atlanta). The new system, however, allows teams to make repairs in the garage, offering more flexibility but also stricter conditions for re-entering the race.
Discussing Busch’s situation, Baldwin revealed that Busch attempted to rejoin the race under caution but returned to the pits due to ongoing issues. Freddie Kraft emphasized that Busch needed to stay out, make minimum speed, and only then return for further repairs. However, since he failed to meet the speed requirement after his first attempt, NASCAR officials did not allow him back on track.
As a result, Busch was parked and finished a disappointing 34th place, marking a tough start to his 2025 season. Notably, this was the first time in 19 years that Busch entered a season without a Cup Series win.
Amid backlash, NASCAR defended its ruling, stating that under the revised DVP rules, a driver can only leave the garage once to reach minimum speed. Since Busch failed to meet that requirement, he was ineligible to return for further repairs.
As NASCAR moves forward with its 2025 regulations, Busch’s Daytona controversy raises a critical question: Should the DVP be adjusted to account for caution periods? His frustration is valid, and NASCAR may need to revisit this policy to prevent a similar situation for another top driver.
