NASCAR has formally cautioned Joey Logano and Trackhouse Racing following concerns that emerged over the post-race weight rule, highlighting the growing Joey Logano NASCAR weight rule controversy. The warning comes after an incident involving Logano, Ross Chastain, and Shane van Gisbergen, with officials clarifying that exploiting post-race laps to manipulate car weight will no longer be tolerated.
Understanding NASCAR’s Stance on Post-Race Weight Adjustments
The warning comes on the heels of Sunday’s event at World Wide Technology Raceway, where Joey Logano drew attention for veering off-track during his cool-down lap. Observers noted this maneuver seemed aimed at collecting debris to add weight before the technical inspection, a tactic used to help drivers meet minimum specifications.
Both Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, representing Trackhouse Racing, have previously used similar techniques. According to NASCAR, these actions appeared designed to retain or gain random debris—such as grass or rubber—which can affect post-race weight.
This approach to gaining extra pounds immediately after a race is not new to stock car racing. For years, drivers have taken alternate routes over the infield or dirt, hoping to amass loose material on their vehicles. This extra weight can prove critical, as failing to meet the minimum required by weight inspection may result in disqualification and severe penalties.
The few extra pounds gained during these cool-down laps can be the margin between passing inspection and facing major consequences, which is why the practice, while not openly prohibited until recently, has been under quiet scrutiny for some time.
Weight Rule Loopholes and NASCAR’s Firm Response
Historically, the tactic of post-race weight manipulation has hovered in a gray area, with some teams calling it trivial while others have considered it a direct evasion of established guidelines. Now, however, NASCAR’s leadership has decided to explicitly outlaw such maneuvers, eliminating any room for interpretation moving forward.
Mike Forde, NASCAR’s managing director of communications, addressed the issue on his Hauler Talk podcast and offered a candid view of the organization’s stance.
“We did not care for it, not one bit,”
—Mike Forde, NASCAR Managing Director of Communications
He went on to say,
“We’re going to just remind teams this is something where we actually have a rule. I think we’re going to give [Trackhouse] a little bit of a warning.”
—Mike Forde, NASCAR Managing Director of Communications
Racing journalist Matt Weaver also highlighted the regulatory angle on social media.
“There is a rule that says what they did — you could argue — broke a rule, and there could have been repercussions for it.”
—Matt Weaver, Journalist
Forde underscored this warning but noted that teams would receive leniency this time.
“But there is a rule that says what they did, you could argue, broke a rule, and there could have been repercussions for it. But I think we’re going to allow the teams sort of a gimme here and say moving forward, be aware that we are going to be looking at this.”
—Mike Forde, NASCAR Managing Director of Communications
For now, these incidents have resulted only in official warnings and not direct penalties for the teams involved. However, with NASCAR’s playoffs approaching and competition intensifying, the sanctioning body’s communication leaves little doubt that future violations will result in significant consequences.
From this point forward, NASCAR is clear: teams must keep their vehicles on the racetrack after races end. Any further attempts to exploit track boundaries or manipulate car weight during cool-down laps could jeopardize race results, affect season standings, and potentially derail championship ambitions.
The elevated pressure of the playoff season means that even minor technical violations can shift the championship balance. For Joey Logano, Trackhouse Racing, and all teams, strict adherence to the weight inspection protocols will be crucial as the season progresses. The recent warning signals NASCAR’s seriousness and foreshadows stricter rule enforcement in coming events, ensuring the competition remains fair and transparent for drivers and fans alike.
