Unpacking the Controversy: What Caused Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski’s Penalties at Watkins Glen?

Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski found themselves in hot water during the NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen race at Watkins Glen International Speedway after violating key pit road rules. Their infractions led to penalties that sent both drivers to the back of the field, impacting their race results and shaking up their respective teams’ strategies.

After Stage 2 of the race, Larson, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, and Keselowski, representing Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, both pulled into pit road. It was here that things took a turn for the worse for the pair. NASCAR officials immediately slapped penalties on both drivers for breaking pit lane regulations. Larson was hit with a penalty for vehicle interference, while Keselowski’s issue arose from a lost tire on pit road.

The exact nature of Larson’s mistake was explained in a video shared by NASCAR on NBC, where analyst Steve Letarte broke down the situation. According to Letarte, Larson turned into his pit box without properly following the rules concerning the ‘Orange box,’ a marker that indicates where drivers must enter their pit area. In his haste to complete a fast pit stop, Larson cut through Erik Jones’s pit box, violating NASCAR’s strict rules that prohibit interfering with another team’s pit stop area. This interference earned him a penalty, pushing him to the back of the field, an unfortunate setback for the #5 driver.

Keselowski’s day also spiraled downhill with a series of penalties that disrupted his race. First, he was penalized for an uncontrolled tire that broke loose during his pit stop, a common but costly mistake in NASCAR. Unfortunately for Keselowski, his woes didn’t end there. Shortly after serving the penalty, he was again penalized for speeding on pit road, compounding his earlier misfortune. These combined errors forced him to the back of the pack.

But Keselowski’s troubles didn’t stop at penalties. During the race, he became involved in a significant on-track collision. The crash occurred as Keselowski and Joey Logano were racing side-by-side, jostling for position. As they battled, William Byron, driving for Hendrick Motorsports, sped up from behind and collided directly into Keselowski’s car. The force of the impact sent both Keselowski’s Ford and Byron’s Chevrolet crashing into the fence, resulting in substantial damage to both vehicles. The incident not only harmed Keselowski’s chances of climbing back up the standings, but it also cost him several positions in the race, leaving him struggling to recover.

Following the chaotic events at Watkins Glen, Kyle Larson took responsibility for his actions on pit road. NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), reporting that Larson had apologized for the mistake that led to his penalty. Larson explained that he believed he had been acting cautiously during the pit stop but now realized that his judgment had been off, resulting in the costly interference.

While Larson and Keselowski’s penalties grabbed much of the spotlight, the race itself concluded with Chris Buescher emerging victorious. The RFK Racing driver secured his first win of the season, holding off challenges from Shane van Gisbergen and Carson Hocevar to claim the top spot. It was a hard-fought victory for Buescher, who managed to maintain control and composure throughout the race’s tense final stages. Meanwhile, Larson, despite his earlier setback, managed to finish 12th, salvaging a decent result from what could have been a much worse day. Keselowski, on the other hand, wasn’t as fortunate, as the penalties and crash left him trailing behind in 26th place by the race’s conclusion.

In NASCAR, pit road violations can have serious consequences, and Larson and Keselowski’s experiences at Watkins Glen serve as prime examples. A misjudgment on pit road can turn a promising race into a frustrating battle just to stay in contention. For both drivers, the penalties not only cost them valuable track position but also significantly altered the outcome of their races.

As the NASCAR season continues, both Larson and Keselowski will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back from their difficult day at Watkins Glen. They’ll need to learn from their mistakes and tighten up their strategies, both on pit road and on the track, if they hope to avoid similar pitfalls in the future. For now, the race at Watkins Glen will serve as a reminder of just how important precision and caution are during pit stops—small errors can quickly lead to big setbacks in the fast-paced world of NASCAR racing.