NASCAR adjusts restart zone visuals after Chastain and Ruggiero penalties

by May 9, 2026

written by May 9, 2026

NASCAR adjusts restart zone visuals after Chastain and Ruggiero penalties

During Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Watkins Glen International, two late-race leaders were penalized for going early and mashing the gas before reaching the restart zone.

The first was Ross Chastain, who led 19 laps before penalized with just ten laps to go. Two restarts later with five laps to go, it was Gio Ruggiero, who was even closer to the line and was getting pushed from behind.

“Whoever was behind me pushing right before the box, pushing me right into it — like I can’t do anything about that,” Ruggiero said over the radio. “You want me to get on the brakes and wreck the whole f****** field?”

It’s worth noting that the restart zone also changed this year with NASCAR moving closer to the entrance of the final corner. While a white line is painted across the track to mark the start of the new zone, there is a faded black timing line just before it. They also added some more colors and other bright visuals to the area on Saturday morning.

Gio Ruggiero leads the field on a late-race restart, No. 17 Tricon Garage Toyota

Chastain’s penalty wasn’t about getting shoved, and was definitely more about being able to see where the restart zone actually began.

“I haven’t seen a replay but if they said I went early, then I’m pretty sure I did,” said Chastain, later adding: “I just mis-executed. I completely failed on that restart by going early. Crossed a line and went at the wrong line, clearly. That hurts, and then doubling down and I tore it up back for 20th so a very humbling day here.”

On Saturday morning, NASCAR was working out in that area, removing some tire packs just before the start of the restart zone, which sits between Turn 6 and Turn 7, right before the entrance of the final corner.