How do NASCAR drivers get a free pass?

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, NASCAR has been the staple motorsport genre in America for many years. It features many famous venues and racetracks. The Daytona International, Indianapolis Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway attract huge audiences every year. The Daytona 500, which is the highest-paying race in NASCAR is their premier event. It has the moniker of the “Great American Race” owing to its significance and audience count. Additionally, NASCAR also hosts events in countries like Brazil and Mexico creating diversity in their schedule.

The NASCAR Cup Series is the highest division in NASCAR. It is a 36 race-long motorsports event which involves racing stock cars. NASCAR cars are supplied by three primary manufacturers, Toyota, Ford and Chevy. The races commence on oval tracks which are less than a mile to more than one mile long, including conventional race tracks known as “Road Courses”. NASCAR cars are known to reach speeds more than 190 mph and drivers are supplied with state-of-the-art safety gear like the HANS device. NASCAR has introduced the world to many celebrity racers like Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Richard Petty and many drivers who have won multiple championships. The current NASCAR Cup Series champion is Ryan Blaney of Team Penske.

NASCAR Free Pass

NASCAR drivers get a free pass when they are lagging behind the grid by one or more laps and the race is being continued under caution. Contrary to popular belief the “pass” in NASCAR, doesn’t exactly mean a race pass or a paddock pass which may be awarded to the drivers. In every race, some drivers excel throughout the event staying at the front. However, some drivers struggle with the cars or face multiple issues running at the back of the pack. The slow pace of these drivers means that they do not get to cover up the gap from the leader and often end up one or two laps behind the leader.

In a usual race, these backmarkers have to manage and cover up the laps from the leader without impeding him. However, during races where there is a wreck and safety cars come in, cars have to slow down without any delay. In such cases, these lapped cars are given an opportunity to make up for their loss and lap the safety car once as a “free pass” to get back behind the pack on the same lap as everyone else. This free pass is a boon for the backmarkers as it makes up for their lost time and race errors.