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NASCAR adjusts restart zone visuals after Chastain and Ruggiero penalties
TL;DR
NASCAR has updated the visuals of the restart zone following penalties issued to Ross Chastain and Gio Ruggiero for early acceleration during a race at Watkins Glen International. Both drivers faced penalties for violating restart rules in the final laps.
Key points
- NASCAR adjusted restart zone visuals
- Ross Chastain penalized for early acceleration
- Gio Ruggiero also penalized during the race
- Penalties occurred in the final laps
- Incidents led to rule clarifications
Mentioned in this story
Watkins Glen International
NASCARRoss ChastainGio RuggieroNASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Motorsport photo
During Friday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International, two late-race leaders were penalized for going early and mashing the gas before reaching the restart zone.
The first was Ross Chastain, who led 19 laps before penalized with just ten laps to go. Two restarts later with five laps to go, it wasĀ Gio Ruggiero, who was even closer to the line and was getting pushed from behind.
"Whoever was behind me pushing right before the box, pushing me right into it -- like I can't do anything about that," Ruggiero said over the radio. "You want me to get on the brakes and wreck the whole f****** field?"
It's worth noting that the restart zone also changed this year with NASCAR moving closer to the entrance of the final corner.
Gio Ruggiero leads the field on a late-race restart, No. 17 Tricon Garage Toyota
Gio Ruggiero leads the field on a late-race restart, No. 17 Tricon Garage Toyota
Chastain'sĀ penalty wasn't about getting shoved, and was definitely more about being able to see where the restart zone actually began.
"I haven't seen a replay but if they said I went early, then I'm pretty sure I did," said Chastain, later adding: "I justĀ mis-executed. I completely failed on that restart by going early. Crossed a line and went at the wrong line, clearly. That hurts, and then doubling down and I tore it up back for 20th so a very humbling day here."
On Saturday morning, NASCAR was working out in that area, removing some tire packs just before the start of the restart zone, which sits between Turn 6 and Turn 7, right before the entrance of the final corner.
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Q&A
What penalties did Ross Chastain and Gio Ruggiero receive during the NASCAR race?
Ross Chastain and Gio Ruggiero were penalized for accelerating too early before reaching the restart zone during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race.
Why did NASCAR adjust the restart zone visuals?
NASCAR adjusted the restart zone visuals to clarify the rules after incidents involving early acceleration by drivers, which led to penalties.
What happened during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International?
During the race, both Ross Chastain and Gio Ruggiero were penalized for going early before the restart zone, affecting their positions in the final laps.
