NASCAR This Week - Learning the Rules Alphabet
By: Andy Kondratick
It has always seemed to me that NASCAR makes these rules up as they go along and depending on what the infraction they always resort back to Section 12-4 in the non-existent rulebook. This is the supposed section that lists the possible infractions in alphabetical order. Usually most infractions will fall under the 12-4 A rule. Simply put this rule applies to just about anything that NASCAR deems detrimental to stock car racing. Now, I have seen a hand full of other letters in the alphabet used but this past week NASCAR whipped out a new one.
Officials at NASCAR said that Dale Earnhardt Jr. broke the Section 12-4 A rule in the NASCAR Nextel code of ethics book as well as the 12-4 N rule which is, any driver who, in the judgment of NASCAR officials, intentionally causes or attempts to cause a caution condition by stopping or spinning out or any other action. I was very surprised to see the use of a different letter in a rule infraction and it got me to thinking about the fact that I have never seen these rules published anywhere. Then I started to wonder why. Is there a reason for NASCAR not to share all these rules with us?
I called around to some of the teams and found that none of them have ever seen this rulebook either. I was told by one crew chief that the team owner receives a copy of rules for NASCAR racing but that they have to sign a release stating that they will not share, copy, or reproduce it in anyway or they could face retribution. No one was willing to go on record and comment about it. As a matter of fact, the team I am affiliated with wouldn't comment either and asked me politely not to bring the subject up.
This whole thing seems to have me caught up in some kind of secret espionage scenario. No one is talking and no one has ever seen this alphabetic NASCAR rulebook. Everyone I talked with did say that there are rules that exist and most of them are just plain old commonsense and not something that needs to be written down to understand or follow.
I put a request into NASCAR and asked for a copy of the NASCAR Nextel Cup rulebook. I was sent a 6-page pamphlet that had the descriptions and definitions of race procedures, the NASCAR point system, and rules for qualifying and provisionals. It also included the NASCAR executive staff directory, for my convenience, to inquire about further information on the rules and regulations in NASCAR Nextel Cup racing. It didn't include anything about the actual governing rulebook for NASCAR.
Try as I might, I was unable to get my hands on any such publication. I believe NASCAR should publish the rulebook for all of its fans and competitors to see but I don't believe one actually exists. I guess we just have to wait and see if NASCAR can or will produce such a publication. Until then I will keep on believing that there is no such thing.
This has been one racefan’s opinion…
Rogue Reporter Andy
April 3, 2004 -
If you are the kind of person who follows the rules, then you usually know what they are. That is not the case in NASCAR racing. It is tough for the teams to know what rules they might be breaking because there is no clear-cut rulebook for them to follow. They have rules and regulations books for the cars but as for competition rules in NASCAR you have to follow the NASCAR alphabet.