In the recent NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Ty Dillon’s day took a frustrating turn after a crash that led to his vocal criticism of NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) over the team radio.
During the race, Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet was involved in a multi-car incident, resulting in significant damage. Under the current DVP, teams are allotted a specific time on pit road to repair their vehicles and demonstrate competitive speed. If unable to meet these criteria, the car is removed from the race.
Dillon’s team faced challenges in repairing the car within the mandated time frame, leading to his elimination from the event. Expressing his frustration over the radio, Dillon criticized the policy, highlighting the difficulties teams encounter when trying to comply with the stringent repair window.
This incident adds to ongoing discussions within the NASCAR community regarding the DVP’s impact on teams and drivers. In late 2024, NASCAR officials met with Cup Series crew chiefs to clarify procedures surrounding the DVP, aiming to address concerns and improve its application.
As of January 2025, NASCAR announced updates to the DVP for the current season. Notably, the repair clock has been adjusted to 7 minutes—extended to 8 minutes specifically for Atlanta Motor Speedway. Additionally, vehicles unable to reach pit road due to damage or flat tires are now towed directly to the garage, allowing teams to continue repairs without immediate disqualification.
Despite these revisions, incidents like Dillon’s suggest that challenges persist in balancing safety, competition, and team capabilities under the DVP. As the season progresses, it remains to be seen how these policies will evolve in response to feedback from drivers and teams.
