The opening lap of the race was pure chaos, leading to a dramatic crash that ended the day early for several drivers. It all started when Corey LaJoie clipped Kyle Busch, sending him into a spin that set off a chain reaction. Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Christopher Bell, and Brad Keselowski were all caught up in the mess. But of all the drivers involved, Ryan Blaney was the one who suffered the most, as his car was taken to the garage, ending his race before it had barely begun.
Under NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP), teams have a limited amount of time to make repairs on pit road, and if repairs are needed in the garage, the driver is automatically disqualified. Unfortunately for Blaney, that’s exactly what happened. His car was too damaged to be fixed in time, and because it was taken to the garage, he wasn’t allowed to continue. For a driver like Blaney, who was +33 points above the cutline and hoping to compete for another championship, it was a devastating blow.
Blaney was understandably furious. After being forced out of the race, he voiced his frustration with NASCAR’s decision, saying, “Give us a chance to fix it. They have no idea of the damage.” He argued that his team should’ve been allowed more time to make repairs, especially since his car wasn’t the one responsible for the wreck. But despite his protests, NASCAR held firm, and Blaney was left watching the race from the sidelines.
This decision sparked a huge reaction among fans. Many of them took to social media, rallying behind Blaney and calling out NASCAR for what they saw as an unfair application of the rulebook. Bob Pockrass, a well-known NASCAR reporter, shared two screenshots of the DVP on X (formerly Twitter) and pointed out that NASCAR allows towing for mechanical issues but not for damage, further fueling the debate. The ruling placed Blaney in 38th place, a finish that had serious consequences for his playoff chances.
Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin, who also suffered significant damage in the crash, was able to limp his car back to pit road. After losing a lap while getting his car started, he rejoined the race in 36th place and managed to claw his way back to finish 23rd. But for Blaney, the damage was too severe, and his race was over before it really began.
Fans were not happy with NASCAR’s decision to enforce the DVP so rigidly, especially given the stakes for Blaney. Many of them voiced their displeasure online, with one fan summing up the sentiment: “Well, NASCAR screwed Blaney big.” Others called for a complete rewrite of the rulebook, arguing that the sport needs to modernize its policies to better reflect the type of racing fans want to see. One fan even suggested, “The rulebook needs a rewrite,” calling for more flexibility in how teams are allowed to fix their cars during a race.
A lot of fans believe that teams should be given a chance to make repairs, as long as it can be done safely. “I’d like to know why, though. If it can safely be fixed, the team deserves that chance,” another fan commented, echoing the sentiment that NASCAR’s strict rules sometimes lead to unfair outcomes. They argued that less intervention from officials would make the races more exciting and fairer, much like how referees in other sports try to let the game flow naturally without too much interference.
The DVP itself has been a point of contention ever since it was introduced in 2017. Under the policy, teams have six minutes on pit road to complete repairs. If they need more time or have to go to the garage, the car is disqualified. Additionally, the car must maintain a minimum speed to stay in the race. While the policy was designed with safety in mind, many fans feel that it’s too harsh and often unfairly penalizes drivers who might otherwise be able to continue racing.
Some fans even questioned the consistency of NASCAR’s decision-making. For example, one fan pointed out that if Blaney wasn’t allowed to continue, then other drivers like AJ Allmendinger, who also had a mechanical issue later in the race, should have faced the same fate. However, Allmendinger’s race also came to a premature end due to a mechanical failure, finishing 36th with a DNF (Did Not Finish).
In the end, it was a disappointing day for Ryan Blaney, AJ Allmendinger, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who all failed to score points. Despite this setback, Blaney is still holding on to his playoff spot, sitting in 8th place above the elimination line, ahead of drivers like Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs. The big question now is whether Blaney can bounce back and still make a run for the championship.
With all of the drama and the fallout from NASCAR’s DVP decision, the fans are left wondering: Does Blaney still have a shot at winning the title, or has this ruling taken him out of contention for good?
“Outrage Erupts! NASCAR Fans Blast Confusing Rulebook After Shocking Ryan Blaney Decision at Watkins Glen”
