Superspeedways are notoriously challenging tracks where overtaking is a tricky endeavor, often leading drivers to take bold risks. In response to this, NASCAR has established and enforced specific regulations for these high-speed venues to prioritize the safety of both drivers and fans. This initiative began in 2001 following the tragic accident of the iconic Dale Earnhardt during the final moments of the Daytona 500, which resulted in his tragic passing. It was during this period that the ‘Double Yellow Line’ rule was introduced.
Initially, only two tracks—Daytona and Talladega—were classified as superspeedways among the seven on the circuit. However, Atlanta Motor Speedway, despite its 1.54-mile length, has recently been included in this category. This brings us to a recent incident where Joey Logano pushed Daniel Suarez below the line to seize the lead, raising the question of whether he should have faced penalties for his actions.
The discussion surrounding the enforcement of the DYL rule reignited after a listener on the Door Bumper Clear podcast inquired why Justin Haley received a penalty while Joey Logano did not. Back in 2018, during the Xfinity Series Firecracker 250 at Daytona, Haley lost his victory due to NASCAR penalizing him for having one tire slightly cross the inner yellow line while overtaking the leader.
In contrast, during the recent Quaker State 400, NASCAR opted not to penalize Logano for a similar maneuver, instead celebrating him as the race winner and granting him automatic qualification for the Round of 12. In response to the fan’s question, Freddie Kraft noted, “There was definitely a difference between the two situations. Haley made a block and drove below the line to do so, which should have warranted a penalty. That’s a clear-cut case.”
Kraft not only explained the reasoning behind Haley’s penalty but also defended Logano’s actions. “Joey doesn’t make as blatant a block. He shifts down and makes a move, but he still leaves a gap of three-quarters to half a car width to the line. Daniel then goes below the line to pass him and merges back up…someone should be penalized in that situation,” Kraft stated.
Brett Griffin, spotter for Bubba Wallace, chimed in, asserting, “Daniel maintained his line; he would have caused a wreck,” backing Suarez’s choice to go below the line when Logano forced him to back off.
The debate continued over which of the two lead drivers was to blame. Kraft remarked, “I don’t know who you could definitively say is at fault. You could argue it endlessly. I don’t think Joey’s block was as severe; he didn’t drive below the line like Haley did. But he did move left to block Daniel, who then went below the line to pass him. There has to be a penalty in there somewhere.”
TJ Majors also shared his perspective on the issue. “If someone is going below the line, it’s either (a) the guy who forced him there or (b) the guy who just drove down there. So, I agree that someone likely should have been penalized,” Majors concluded.
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The DYL rule in NASCAR’s regulations states:
“Vehicles must race above the double yellow lines around the entire race track. If, in NASCAR’s judgment, a vehicle goes beneath the double yellow lines to gain an advantage, it will be black-flagged. If a vehicle forces another beneath the double yellow lines to prevent it from passing, that vehicle may also be black-flagged.
NASCAR defines going beneath the double yellow lines as when the left side tires of a vehicle cross below the left line of the inside double yellow lines that separate the apron from the racing surface while overtaking another vehicle.”
To uphold consistency, NASCAR should have enforced this rule during the Atlanta race. The application of rules cannot be left to discretion. Ultimately, it’s about ensuring fairness. As Kraft aptly noted, “You can’t call it out of bounds and then not enforce it, because they are out of bounds.”
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