Former Cup Series driver Kenny Wallace slammed NASCAR on social media after their controversial decision regarding Josh Berry at Kansas Speedway.
Berry’s car died prematurely, prompting harsh criticism from Wallace. After a lap 1 crash, Berry’s car was later caught with a flat tire and was listed as a DNF by NASCAR officials. Following recent rule changes, NASCAR has adjusted its protocols for cars rendered inoperable by accidents. Traditionally, cars with flat tires were towed to the pit lane for tire changes. However, under the new rules, any car that fails to reach the pit lane under its own power after a collision is considered to have failed to finish. An exception remains for single-vehicle accidents caused by tires. However, towing is possible. Wallace did not criticize any NASCAR officials for the decision. In an impassioned video, he claimed:
“This is not true. “So I don’t like this car because it was developed by NASCAR. From day one, I said, “I have to fix it. I don’t like the turtle shell.” But I thought the car would be fixed in 3 years. Okay, listen, that’s not allowed. Germanator does not like it. It’s like what old Sterling Marlin said all those years ago. “People have to roll sometimes.”In an interview with NASCAR, the former driver didn’t mince words.“Come on, OK NASCAR, I know you’re watching this. It happened with Joey Logano (Ryan Blaney) who, I mean, you put drivers in here, you tell the drivers they have to be perfect and they can’t… “So you’re telling these drivers they have to be perfect, which is very hard to do. You can’t say a driver won’t turn around because there is no turning back if you get a flat tire. This is where I’m wrong. “NASCAR is wrong.”
Berry’s crew chief, Rodney Childers, shared Wallace’s frustration and was upset when Berry broke the news that he was “parked”. Children posted on social networks:
“I’ve seen a lot in my 25 years in the Cup, but this is the worst I’ve ever seen or been a part of. All we needed were air-filled tires. And I took the car several times to put the tires in the pits. Why today?!”.
