NASCAR Insiders Deliver Verdict On DVP Rule Changes Ahead Of 2025 Season

NASCAR insiders Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi recently weighed in on the revised Damaged Vehicle Policy changes for the 2025 racing season.

These new rules maintain certain aspects of the previous policy, such as the seven-minute repair clock, but also introduce a number of changes.

Teams will no longer face disqualification if repairs cannot be completed in that timeframe. Instead, they can continue fixing their vehicles in the garage without any set time limits.

On top of this, cars unable to continue under their own steasm after an incident will be immediately towed to the garage for repairs.

William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Chevrolet, and Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Interstate Batteries/DEWALT Toyota, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10, 2024 in Avondale,…

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These adjustments have sparked various reactions within the NASCAR community, with many viewing the changes as a positive step.

Historically, the DVP has been a source of contention in NASCAR. The previous policy imposed strict time limits for repairs, which often resulted in disqualifications, leading to controversies during races, especially in the intense atmosphere of the 2024 playoffs.

Fans and teams alike voiced their dissatisfaction, prompting NASCAR to address these issues and refine the rules for 2025.

By allowing repairs to continue in the absence of time constraints, NASCAR aims to improve the overall race experience and reduce the dissatisfaction previously caused by sudden disqualifications.

The new rules influence more than just the repair process. They potentially alter racing strategies by encouraging teams to persevere despite setbacks.

Bianchi and Gluck of The Athletic discussed the changes on ‘The Teardown’ podcast (below). Bianchi commented:

“This feels much more straightforward. I really don’t have any issues with this.”

Gluck responded:

“I think this is a win overall, you know, let the teams decide if they continue in the race,” he said.

“They feel like, you know, it’s worth trying to get back out there, 40 laps down to pick up a point or two if you can. Let them decide that. That’s fine, and you know, the towing thing as it continues to be this sort of unresolved thing, I just want to see that consistent then.”

In addition to these changes to the DVP, NASCAR has introduced other changes ahead of the 2025 season, such as penalties for manufacturers involved in manipulative practices and the Open Exemption Provisional rule.

This provisional rule enables a “world-class driver” to participate in a race without the risk of missing the starting lineup, injecting additional excitement into the competition.