Kyle Busch wasn’t holding back after his 2025 Daytona 500 ended in frustration, with the two-time Cup Series champion openly questioning NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP). Busch and his team believed they should have been allowed to continue repairing their car, but instead, NASCAR ruled them out of the race—leaving the No. 8 team confused and frustrated.
What Happened?
After being involved in an incident, Busch’s Richard Childress Racing (RCR) team sent the car back out under caution to assess the damage. Their assumption? Since the race hadn’t returned to green-flag conditions, they believed they could bring the car back to pit road for further repairs.
However, NASCAR’s DVP rules—which limit how long a team can work on a damaged car before being eliminated from the race—said otherwise. Officials ruled that Busch had exceeded his allotted repair time, effectively ending his Daytona 500 early.
Busch Sounds Off
Following the race, Busch didn’t hide his frustration with the ruling:
“We went back out under yellow to diagnose what was wrong, and we figured that since it hadn’t gone back green, we could bring it back in and fix it. But apparently, that’s not how NASCAR sees it. Just another case of the rulebook not making a lot of sense.”
Busch, known for his outspoken personality, has criticized the DVP in the past, arguing that the policy sometimes takes teams out of races unnecessarily—especially when they still have a drivable car.
The DVP Debate: Should NASCAR Re-Evaluate the Rules?
NASCAR’s Damaged Vehicle Policy was introduced in 2017 to prevent unsafe cars from re-entering the race and causing further incidents. However, it has been a hot topic among drivers and teams, particularly in situations like Busch’s, where the rule’s application seems too rigid.
Some argue that NASCAR should provide more flexibility—especially under caution—so teams have a fair shot at repairing their cars. Others believe the rule is necessary to ensure safety and competitive integrity.
What’s Next?
With Busch’s frustrations now public, it remains to be seen whether NASCAR will take another look at the DVP rules. One thing is certain—when a driver of Busch’s stature speaks out, it tends to get the sport’s attention.
Will this controversy lead to changes in how NASCAR enforces the DVP? Or will drivers and teams have to adjust to the current rules, no matter how frustrating they may be?
