Brad Moran, NASCAR’s Managing Director for the Cup Series, made it clear once again, there’s a limit to what teams can say to their drivers during a race. On Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Brad Moran gathered Cup Series crew chiefs to issue a firm reminder about NASCAR’s radio communication rules, particularly regarding points status updates during active races.
“You can say anything that helps your driver in their position and that’s it,” Moran told NBC Sports. “They all know better than to say things that don’t involve their driver getting the best finish they can get. It’s as simple as that.”
That may sound simple, but in the intense playoffs of NASCAR, it is a very important separator.
Drivers Respond to NASCAR Tough Radio Regulations.
Not all drivers view the policy the same way. For Denny Hamlin, the ability to know what’s happening around him is part of smart racing.
“I would like to know if I’m in a vulnerable spot, that the person behind me is emboldened to make a bold move,” Hamlin said.
Ryan Blaney agreed but noted he mainly asks for context rather than strategy.
“Mainly, if I do ask, ‘Hey, give me an update on this stuff,’ it’s just to see who is desperate. It’s not going to change the way I race on the offensive, but it might give me an idea if someone’s willing to do something over the top because he’s in that mode.”
Kyle Larson added that staying informed helps him plan his race. “I just like to know what’s going on. It allows me to strategize how I’m going to run and get the best possible finish. But yeah, I mean, there’s been a lot of talk and drama around it the last few years. I see how it’s a little sticky. I don’t know how you police it quite fully.”
Message: “The Line Has Been Drawn”
Brad Moran didn’t mince words when explaining the seriousness of NASCAR’s stance.
“The crew chiefs understand they’re in charge of everything that happens, from the time we throw the green flag to the checkered flag,” he said. “The warnings have been sent, the penalties have been sent. The line has been drawn.”
He added that NASCAR expects full compliance from teams moving forward. “These guys are switched on. They know that, so it’s more just a friendly reminder not to mess this up. We’ve got sponsors, fans, and the sport, and we expect everything to go according to plan.”
The timing of this reminder isn’t random. During last weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at the Charlotte Roval, two teams were warned for giving their drivers updates about the points situation in a crucial cutoff race. The very next day, Denny Hamlin was frustrated when his team didn’t tell him Ross Chastain was below the cutline after a pass, a moment that triggered a desperate move by Chastain that spun both cars.
Martinsville’s Costly Lesson
“Moran pointed back to the 2023 Martinsville playoff race, a controversial moment that forced NASCAR to act decisively. Following questionable on-track cooperation between drivers of the same manufacturer, NASCAR cracked down, issuing $600,000 in fines, suspending nine people across three teams, and docking both driver and owner points” as reported by Dustin Long of NBC Sports.
“These guys have been in this industry a long time, and they understand where we draw a line,” Moran said. “It costs organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars. Crew chiefs, spotters, and competition directors were suspended. So, we drew the line, first at the Roval, and again at Martinsville. There’s no confusion about that.”
As the NASCAR playoffs continue, communication between crew and driver remains a fine balance between strategy and rule-breaking. With high stakes, passionate teams, and millions on the line, one wrong word on the radio could cost more than just a race; it could rewrite a season.
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