NASCAR has found itself facing significant backlash following the decision to retire Josh Berry from the race at Kansas Speedway.
During the Round of 12 opener of the NASCAR Cup Series, Berry was involved in a Lap 1 incident that led to his unfortunate removal from the race—a decision that NASCAR stands by but has promised to review.
The incident occurred when Berry’s #4 Ford sustained light damage and multiple flat tires following a collision with Harrison Burton. According to NASCAR's Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP), Berry’s car was ineligible for a tow back to pit road for tire changes, essentially setting the stage for his race's early end. Brad Moran, the managing director of the Cup Series, defended the decision, emphasizing that it adhered to NASCAR's rules.
He explained, as quoted by NBC Sports:
"It didn't feel right or look right, but [the rule] was done correctly. Again, it's something we'll review over the winter, and it may change.
"The hit was hard enough on [Berry's] car to lift the car off the ground, slam it down on the ground.
"Once you're involved in a [Damaged Vehicle Policy] accident — and by the way the [incident data recorder] did go off, so it was significant incident that [Berry] was in — if he couldn't drive the car back, he was out due to DVP.
"We don't inspect [the car], obviously on the side of the track. We haven't got that ability, but the indicator is, you drive it back, you're good [to continue]. If, however, he just spun and had four flat tires, he would have been towed to pit road under yellow under the flat tire recovery program. But it's really clear on our recovery program in our [Damaged Vehicle Policy] that if you're involved in an incident, you have to be able to get your vehicle back to pit road.
"If it's just sitting there flat tires, you spun out, we'll even give you a light scuff [in contract], that would be one thing, that vehicle would have been towed in. ... From the reports I had the car really wasn't damaged and probably could have participated. We never want to take vehicles out of the race and that is our rule. It's similar to what happened to [Ryan Blaney at Watkins Glen], but he did have a mechanical issue. Unfortunately, you just don't have the ability to inspect that. It's more if the car, if they can drive it back or not."
However, the reaction has been anything but supportive. Rodney Childers, Berry’s crew chief, took to social media to express his dismay. He wrote:
"I've seen a lot of things over my 25 years in the Cup Series, but that's the most screwed up thing I've ever seen or been involved with. All we needed was tires with air in them. And how many times have we drug cars to the pit stall to put tires on them. Why today?!"
I’ve seen a lot of things over my 25 years in the Cup Series, but that’s the most screwed up thing I’ve ever seen or been involved with. All we needed was tires with air in them. And how many times have we drug cars to the pit stall to put tires on them. Why today?!? 😡
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) September 29, 2024
The rule in question mandates that cars must be able to drive back to the pit under their own power after an incident involving significant impact.
