NASCAR has tightened rules on race manipulation for 2025. The sanctioning body added new language to Section 5.5 of the rule book, explicitly banning any attempt to improperly influence the outcome of a race. A companion update (Section 10.5.2.8) empowers NASCAR to penalize manufacturers and their representatives for race-related violations. Under the new framework, an offending OEM could lose 25–50 manufacturer points, 30–60 wind-tunnel hours, 250–500 restricted CFD test runs or 2–4 vehicle testing days. These changes follow last fall’s Martinsville controversy, when Chevrolet and Toyota teams tried to manipulate who would make the Championship 4.
Section 5.5: Performance Obligation
Section 5.5 is NASCAR’s “performance obligation” rule. It requires teams and drivers to race at full speed for the best finish possible. Any action to “artificially alter” the finish – such as slowing down or blocking to help a teammate – is already forbidden. The new language makes this explicit. Now “any member who attempts to improperly influence the outcome of the event or encourages, persuades, or induces others to do so” will be penalized. NASCAR says this ensures every team seeks the “best possible competitive result” rather than colluding on race tactics. In practice, the rule covers orders or agreements that prioritize anything other than fair, maximum-effort racing.
New Manufacturer Penalties
NASCAR has also created an OEM penalty framework. Section 10.5.2.8 allows NASCAR to penalize a carmaker or its reps if they violate the rules. The rule lists example infractions (wind-tunnel violations, engine or body-rule breaches, etc.) and makes clear the examples are “illustrative and not exhaustive.” Possible penalties for manufacturers include:
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Loss of 25–50 manufacturer points
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Loss of 30–60 wind-tunnel hours
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Loss of 250–500 RCFD (CFD) runs
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Loss of 2–4 vehicle tests
These measures give NASCAR new tools to hold OEMs accountable for any improper instructions or rulebreaking that could skew competition.
Ensuring Fair Competition
NASCAR’s rule changes are aimed squarely at preventing non-competitive tactics. By codifying the ban on “improperly influence” schemes and by extending penalties to manufacturers, NASCAR wants every on-track result to be earned by speed and skill.
Last season’s Martinsville race showed why: officials found teams and even manufacturers had schemed to fix the finish line-up. In that case, multiple crew chiefs and team officials were fined and suspended, though NASCAR had no way then to penalize OEMs or drivers directly. NASCAR’s senior VP of competition Elton Sawyer said at the time that future manipulations would not be tolerated and that new rules would allow punishing drivers or OEMs if needed.
So far in 2025 no public case of race-fixing has emerged, but teams have been put on notice. NASCAR will be watching radios and pit communications especially closely. Officials stress that any deal-making or blocking intended to help a teammate or manufacturer’s driver will now clearly violate Section 5.5. The league’s goal is simple: fair, open competition. Violations of the “100 percent” rule – whether by a driver, a team or an OEM – will be met with strict penalties to keep every race outcome honest and earned on merit.
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