Daytona 500: NASCAR CEO Brian France warns drivers about blocking

In a curious address that had drivers laughing and shaking their heads in confusion afterward, NASCAR CEO and chairman Brian France issued a stern about blocking in the drivers meeting prior to Sunday’s Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.

“What I don’t normally do, and I’m going to do this today, is bring up a competition issue,” France said. “This is for the drivers and what I want you to think about. We realize blocking is part of racing. We understand that. We accept that.

“When you block somebody out there, and it’s going to happen today, it causes almost all the big incidents. Do not look for NASCAR. You better hope there’s a Good Samaritan behind you who is going to accept that block, because they have that lane and the right to it. And I don’t often make those statements, but I think it’s important today as we go into our most important event to make that really clear with our competitors.”

The exact intent of France’s message was unclear. As several drivers left the meeting, they commented that they were confused by what was said, a couple were laughing about what they felt were bizarre remarks, and all spoken to were surprised by France’s address, with none having any inclination of what came across as an unexpected rule change just hours before NASCAR’s biggest race.

When Monster Energy Cup Series race director David Hoots was asked if a rule or procedure change had been instituted regarding the common tactic of a driver blocking another, he told SB Nation, “No change. No change.”

France’s remarks may have been in reference to the numerous accidents that marred the preliminary Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series races on Friday and Saturday. The truck race saw a 14-vehicle accident on the second lap and a 12-truck pileup on the last lap, which included Matt Crafton getting airborne and flipping. In the Xfinity race, separate 20- and 12-car accidents occurred within the first 30 laps, necessitating two red flag stoppages.

But of all the accidents in both races, only one appeared to be a direct result of blocking.

During The Clash exhibition last weekend featuring a select field of Cup drivers, Denny Hamlin tried blocking Brad Keselowski on the final lap, triggering an accident between the two. Neither driver, however, was upset with the other.