Christopher Bell was penalized for making a pit stop outside of his designated pit box during Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, but NASCAR officials will review the rule’s wording to prevent unintended consequences.
During a lap 108 pit stop, Bell initially left his pit stall but was quickly told by crew chief Adam Stevens to stop in a teammate’s pit stall due to a loose wheel, which would have resulted in suspensions if it came off on track.
Stevens explained after the race that this strategy had been discussed previously and that he knew the penalty would only be for pitting outside the box, rather than a more severe consequence.
He emphasized that avoiding a dangerous situation, such as a wheel coming off mid-race, was the priority, and they acted quickly once they recognized the issue.
NASCAR’s Mike Forde stated on his “Hauler Talk” podcast that safety concerns justified the decision and that NASCAR supports teams taking steps to prevent hazardous incidents like loose wheels on the track.
However, officials are concerned that teams could exploit this ruling for other advantages, such as refueling in a teammate’s pit stall, rather than strictly addressing safety issues.
The ongoing discussion will focus on distinguishing between necessary safety actions and moves that create a competitive advantage, though no rule changes are planned before the next race at Homestead.
