Trackhouse Racing drivers under scrutiny for post-race tactic

A pair of Trackhouse Racing drivers have faced scrutiny overnight following the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday at World Wide Technology Raceway and it may warrant a closer look from the Sanctioning Body itself.

During the cool down lap, both Ross Chastain and Shane Van Gisbergen drifted up the track up against the wall and then through the grass while transitioning onto the emergency lane that leads to pit road.

In real time, right behind him, Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman observed the behavior and drew attention to it from those listening in via scanner or a radio chatter application.

“Hey, the Trackhouse cars are driving through the grass. That’s kind of cool,” Bowman said as he keyed up his microphone.

Draw your own conclusions what he meant by cool.

NASCAR has yet to make a public response to the matter but with a competition meeting scheduled for Tuesday morning, not to mention the likes of Cup Series managing director Brad Moran or SVP of competition Elton Sawyer being made available on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio every Tuesday, be on the lookout for some additional clarification.

Without making a formal accusation, driving through the rubber marbles or onto the dirt is a familiar motorsports tactic for drivers when they need add additional weight before any post-race inspection as the marbles stick to the hot tires and dirt clumps could also add meaningful weight.

Chastain and Van Gisbergen finished 24th and 25th respectively but were required to undergo inspection since both are playoff drivers. They left the second race of the first round 19 points above and 15 points below the cutline respectively.