NASCAR has recently faced scrutiny over its handling of on-track incidents, with key decisions bringing clarity to what drivers can and can’t do during races.

In a Nashville truck race, Layne Riggs was penalized two laps for retaliating against Stefan Parsons, following a warning from NASCAR officials about his aggressive behavior. NASCAR Senior VP of Competition Elton Sawyer explained that this decision was made to reinforce the rules against retaliation.

Bubba Wallace was fined $50,000 for door-slamming Alex Bowman during the cool-down lap in Chicago. The severity of the incident, which caused Bowman’s wheels to lift off the ground, warranted the fine, according to Sawyer. In contrast, Chase Elliott received no fine for a minor contact with Daniel Suarez in the same race, highlighting the difference in severity between the two incidents.

Corey LaJoie was not fined for his contact with Kyle Busch at Pocono Raceway. NASCAR deemed it a racing incident, stating, “We let the guys race.” LaJoie himself acknowledged on his “Stacking Pennies” podcast that under stricter rules, he might have been penalized for avoidable contact.

The decisions show NASCAR’s nuanced approach to regulating driver behavior. Sawyer emphasized the importance of context, as seen in the differing outcomes for Wallace and Elliott. While Elliott’s minor contact was seen as part of normal racing, Wallace’s more aggressive move drew a penalty.

Some, like Wallace’s car owner Denny Hamlin, believe public perception influenced the fine, suggesting NASCAR acted due to the incident’s visibility on camera. This raises questions about consistency and the role of optics in NASCAR’s disciplinary actions.

The LaJoie-Busch incident, left unpenalized, underscores NASCAR’s preference for self-policing in certain situations. Drivers are expected to manage on-track disputes themselves unless there is clear retaliation or dangerous behavior.

NASCAR’s recent actions illustrate their effort to maintain fair competition while allowing drivers to race aggressively, as long as safety and sportsmanship are upheld.