NASCAR Announces New Caution Rule After Kevin Ward Jr.’s Death

NASCAR announced a new caution rule Friday in light of the tragic death of sprint-car driver Kevin Ward Jr. last weekend. The new rule governs driver behavior under caution and says that drivers may not leave their cars after on-track accidents unless “extenuating circumstances exist.”

The rule was announced by NASCAR vice president Robin Pemberton Friday, after it was delivered to crews participating in Sprint Cup practice this morning.

ESPN reports that the new caution rule states that if cars are involved in an on-track incident and cannot make forward progress, the driver must shut off power, lower the window net, and wait. The drivers may not remove personal safety equipment and need to stay in the vehicle until safety personnel or a NASCAR official arrives on the scene.

The rule adds that “at no time should a drive or crew member approach any portion of the racing surface or apron” or “approach another moving vehicle.” Extenuating circumstances include “fire, smoke in cockpit, etc.”

Pemberton explained to USA Today that the new rule formalizes guidelines NASCAR already provides for drivers during a crash. They are already told at nearly every prerace meeting to stay in the cars. No specific punishment was listed for drivers who disobey the rule.

Pemberton stated, “This will be a behavioral-type thing, and they’ll be addressed according to each situation.”

The new caution rule comes in light of Ward’s death. The 20-year-old driver was hit by NASCAR star Tony Stewart after he exited his car to confront Stewart under caution at Canandaigua Motorsports Park August 9.

NASCAR’s move isn’t surprising. The sport has seen its share of driver exiting their cars following collisions, including J.J. Yeley and Stewart. In one of the more memorable expressions of anger in his career, Stewart threw his heel pads at Kenny Irwin Jr. and tried to reach into his cockpit after a wreck. The cars were under caution at the time.

The sport’s vice president stated of last week’s fatal accident, “It was one of those that was obviously something that everybody paid attention to. And it is on the heels of that.”

Pemberton added:

“Through time, you have to recognize when you get a reminder or a tap on the shoulder of something that may need to be addressed. This is one of those times where we look outside our sport.”

Previously, NASCAR made a rule change in October 2002 after Eric Martin was killed in an ARCA crash at Charlotte Motor Speedway. After the accident, the sport mandated that spotters must be positioned above the grandstands during practices.

NASCAR’s new caution rule comes on the heels of several dirt tracks that made rules changes this week. Those rules also require drivers to stay in their cars during an accident.

[Image: Fox Sports]