Teams are no longer permitted to yank on fenders in an effort to give their drivers an aerodynamic advantage.
The controversial practice of teams intentionally flaring the side skirts on their cars has been banned for the 2015 season, NASCAR officials announced Monday.
Crewmembers will no longer be permitted to pull away sheet metal located near the wheel well to create an aerodynamic advantage. Teams frequently did so during pit stops, with the tactic becoming commonplace during the latter portion of last season.
Beginning this year, any driver with a flared side skirt will be called to pit road to address the infraction. NASCAR has not determined if additional sanctions will be issued if a team is found in violation.
"In 2015, teams that manipulate fenders will be asked to come back down pit road and correct the changes," said NASCAR vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O'Donnell. "We will enforce that by any means necessary with our new pit road system."
A growing number of teams began manipulating their fenders during the Chase for the Sprint Cup, frequently on the very first pit stop. In the playoff opener at Chicagoland Speedway, a then-member of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s public relations staff accused race-winner Brad Keselowski of having an illegal car, though NASCAR cleared the No. 2 in post-race inspection.
Not wanting to enact a rule change in the middle of the Chase, NASCAR waited until the conclusion of the season to modify its rule. A number of drivers suffered cut tires due to the blade-like apparatus sticking out on numerous cars.
Opinions among teams were mixed about the new rule, according to Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition.
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