NASCAR Damaged Vehicle Policy

Rule 8.8.9

Damage Vehicle Policy/Mechanical Repair

Current as of January 23, 2026.

A. NASCAR will determine whether a vehicle is under the Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) following an accident. Repairs to damaged vehicles must be completed in the vehicle’s assigned pit box or in the designated garage repair area.

B. Unless approved by NASCAR, major mechanical repairs must be performed behind the pit wall or in the designated garage area.

C. Body repairs must follow the following guidelines:

  • Original body parts may be removed or reattached in their original locations using only fasteners and/or tape.
    If underwing repairs are needed, only original underwing parts may be reattached in their original location with only fasteners and/or tape.
  • A rod and support may only be used as a single unit to reinforce repaired original panel(s) and may not be used during repair to fill a void on the vehicle or as a medium to reattach panels to each other.
  • Wire mesh grill screens will be permitted for radiator air inlet repairs only.
  • All mandatory body-related vehicle safety parts/assemblies must be intact.
  • It is the responsibility of the crew chief and driver to determine if a repaired vehicle is safe to return to Competition.

D. Pit road repairs on a damaged vehicle will have a seven (7:00) minute (eight (8:00) minute at Atlanta Motor Speedway) time limit:

  • The clock will start when the vehicle crosses the pit entry line and stops at the pit exit line.
  • A 15-second penalty will be applied for speeding on pit road or a commitment line infraction occurs. If a vehicle pits multiple times as a result of the same damage, the pit time and any associated penalties will be cumulative for the repairs.
  • If the vehicle exceeds the seven (7:00) minute time limit while in the process of exiting pit road, the vehicle must serve a flag status penalty before reaching minimum speed.
  • If the vehicle remains in its pit box at the expiration of the seven (7:00) minute time period, a flag status or lap penalty may be assessed.
  • If a vehicle sustains damage on pit road and then immediately pits, the seven (7:00) minute time limit will have begun when the vehicle crossed the yellow line at the entrance of pit road before the damage. If the vehicle does not pit after the damage occurs, the seven (7:00) minute time limit will not begin until the vehicle enters pit road, before reaching minimum speed.

E. If a vehicle cannot continue due to flat tires, racetrack obstructions (e.g., grass, sand, curbing, wet ground), or mechanical issues, NASCAR will provide limited assistance (vehicle lift system, front/rear tow straps, or other approved methods) to return the vehicle to Competition. Vehicles towed from the track will be taken to the designated garage repair area.

F. Vehicles under DVP must meet the posted minimum speed requirement. Vehicles will have three consecutive laps under green flag conditions to reach minimum speed.

  • Vehicles returning to the racetrack from the designated garage repair area will have one attempt to meet the minimum speed requirement and may not return to the garage repair area before attempting minimum speed.
  • Vehicles returning to the racetrack from the designated garage repair area may, at the first available opportunity, stop once in their assigned pit box for service.
  • If the vehicle does not reach the posted minimum speed requirement by the completion of the third lap, the vehicle will not be scored or permitted to continue in the Race.

G. A maximum of six crew members will be permitted in the vehicles assigned pit box as follows:

  • Five crew members repairing damage and/or servicing the driver.
  • One Fueler (fueling only).
  • Exceeding the crew member limit and/or improper fueling will result in a flag status penalty.

H. Damaged vehicles that do not enter pit road for repairs and/or extend the caution may be assessed a penalty.

I. After repairs have been completed, NASCAR Official(s) may conduct a visual or other inspections before or during further Competition.

J. NASCAR, in its sole discretion, may allow a repaired vehicle to compete with damaged or missing body panels or parts.

2026 MANDATORY BODY RELATED VEHICLE SAFETY PARTS ASSEMBLIES NCS REVJ
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