It's not every day you see someone applying video game skills to real life, but last year this actually happened when NASCAR racer Ross Chastain recreated a move from the GameCube title NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup to secure the final qualifying spot for the championship.
While it was quite an impressive feat at the time, NASCAR has now released its new rules modifications for the 2023 season - stating how this "thrilling" stunt came with "an increased safety risk" - as well as compromising the safety of competitors, officials and spectators.
Instead of creating new rules, NASCAR will simply be reinforcing existing rules when it comes to maneuvers like the one Chastain pulled off:
Chastain’s dash around Turns 3 and 4 at Martinsville Speedway last October made for a enthralling finish as the No. 1 Chevrolet gained five positions in one set of corners, earning enough points to advance to the Championship 4.
While the move was thrilling and largely lauded for its creativity, it also came with an increased safety risk. NASCAR will not add new language to the rule book but instead point to rule 10.5.2.6.A, which states: “Safety is a top priority for NASCAR and NEM (NASCAR Event Management). Therefore, any violations deemed to compromise the safety of an Event or otherwise pose a dangerous risk to the safety of Competitors, Officials, spectators, or others are treated with the highest degree of seriousness. Safety violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.”
Any drivers who attempt wall-riding in the future will be issued with a time penalty. You can get a recap in the video footage:
Have you ever pulled off any crazy stunts like this in a racing game before? Comment below.
[source nascar.com, via pcgamer.com]
Comments 25
And the sport is boring once again
Super cool!!! Great share, wouldn’t have known otherwise.
I watched a video once called "rise and fall of NASCAR", and one of the reason why it's failing is cause NASCAR is too safe that there are no more crashes. So... I dunno.
Hasn’t nascar ever heard the saying “ no risk, no reward”.
I've seen more exciting moves from chess matches than Nascar.
While it’s probably worse viewing, it’s ultimately much better than somebody being seriously injured.
As someone who enjoys this kind of racing, this is absolutely the right decision. There are several safety considerations involved. Plus, it's not the kind of move any sanctioning body would want to allow to continue as an option because, at tracks where this would be feasible, drivers would basically have no choice but to all ride the wall on the last lap, which would look really bad, just to ensure that no one can come along and pass at 70+ mph faster. It would not work at every track, of course. It was an amazing move and should be celebrated, but it's also the kind of thing that should only happen once. Definitely the right call.
@Erigen I don't know what video you saw, but there are plenty of crashes and those aren't going anywhere.
Well yeah. Fun is not allowed within 500 meters of any Nascar race.
I am jealous, I want to earn money by turning left as well
I don't think anyone (including Chastain) would seriously bother to repeat it in the first place, although maybe I overestimate people here.
@nhSnork people definitely would if they were in the same situation. Especially now, knowing that it works. Which then again might make the people in front do it as a precaution for people sneaking up from behind.
I love this move and this story. Sometimes computer games really can be a training simulator.
@nessisonett Less injuries. Very well said.
Removed - trolling/baiting
@Deltarogue Yeah. Most boring racing for sure. At least Daytona 2000 on Dreamcast and Arcade made it more fun.
That's funny that it works in real life, I know if you try that in Daytona it just slows you down! Next time this guy will need to try shifting down into first to trigger a power slide like in Daytona. 😉
@locky-mavo Just give away all your stuff and sneak onto a track! It'll be fine!
Well, can't argue against prioritizing the safety of living beings. It's nice they recognized the feat itself but also asked people don't do it, all without being too heavy handed
Never really liked NASCAR racing anyways.
The move was amazing and special, but the sport going forward doesn't need 40 cars riding the outside wall on the last lap of every Martinsville race trying to gain a similar advantage (Although I'd pay to see that at least once, lol).
It seems the South Park reference went over the sensitive ones heads.
I highly recommend EmperorLemon's YouTube videos for an explanation to an outsider how Nascar can actually be fun.
It was 100% certain this would be banned. A very dangerous tactic.
@Hayter Just make sure you do your left turning legally, or the superhero Red Arrow will catch you and send you to prison.
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