Caution Reviews, Protests and Appeals

[jeromef1]

On Track Reviews and Procedures

• On track incidents should be avoided at all costs.
• On track incidents that result in a caution will be automatically reviewed by the Oval Stewards and will be ruled on 48 hours following the race.
• On track incidents that do not cause a caution can still be reviewed. Please submit a protest using the Protest Form on the PRL website.
• Race Start and Caution Restarts will also be reviewed by the Steward team for early 3-wide and Lead Car speed violations.
• PRL's Racing Rules and iRacing's Sporting Code are in effect for all official races through the season.
• Stewards will issue a Caution Point value against a driver(s) found at fault for initiating the caution, as well as drivers maneuvering carelessly or recklessly that lead to other drivers getting involved in the caution. Please refer to the Rules Document for a full explanation.
• Any driver who is issued an EOL start penalty shall not qualify. Drivers caught doing so will be issued a black flag and will have to serve a drive-thru penalty.
• Any driver who gets DSQ for not serving a black flag during the race will be placed in last and all points will be removed, and the race will not count as a drop week. If you receive a black flag in the final moments of a race and do not have time to serve it, you must contact the race organizers immediately so the appropriate action can be taken.
• You have the right to Appeal a caution decision if you feel the original ruling was incorrect. Contact will Charles Sumner withing 48 hours of the rulings being posted to Appeal a ruling. The entire Steward Team will review the incident and will cast a vote, in which the majority vote will be the final verdict. Losing an Appeal will place a 30-day restriction in place where you may not Appeal a verdict again.
• Penalties and race thresholds will carry over from season to season in 2021.

 

[Hootius]

Race 1: Michigan

Penalties to be served:

• None

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• No Cautions or Protests for this race!!!!!

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• None

 

[Hootius]

Race 2: Road America

Penalties to be served:

• None

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• No Cautions or Protests for this race!!!!!

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• None

 

[Hootius]

Race 3: Myrtle Beach

Penalties to be served:

• None

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 16 caution. The Stewards have found James Duerr at fault for a self spin entering T1.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 23 caution. The Stewards have found John Labaff for turning left early before T1, and did not give Jose Medina time to avoid making contact with him, resulting in a multicar wreck.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 32 caution. While the Stewards have noted that Colton Layne was moving left as Shelby Huff was moving right on the backstretch and in a trajectory towards one another, the netcode gap between the two of them at the point of contact was too large for the Stewards to say with 100% certainty that contact would have happened. Due to the netcode, no point will be given with this review.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 50 caution. The Stewards have found Nicholas Schwartz at fault for a self spin off of T2.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 59 caution. The Stewards have found Adam Zemke at fault for a self spin off of T2.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 70 caution. The Stewards have found Brandon Adams at fault for losing control exiting T4. While Brandon did not spin around, his track did stop on the track surface at the entrance to T1, to justify the caution.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 75 restart caution. The Stewards have found Barron Hilton for losing control during wheel spin while accelerating.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 87 caution. The Stewards have found Adam Zemke at fault for losing control in T1 and moving up the track and hitting John Labaff, resulting in a spin.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 93 caution. The Stewards have found Adam Schoen at fault for getting into the rear of Brenden Chatley entering T1, resulting in a spin.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 101 caution. The Stewards have found William Farmer at fault for getting into the rear of Matthew Kulhanek in the apex of T1/2, resulting in a spin.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 107 caution. The Stewards have found Brett Adams at fault for pushing up into Dominic Begin in T4, which resulted in a half spin for Brett.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 114 restart caution. The Stewards have found James Duerr at fault for losing control during wheel spin while accelerating.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 121 caution. While Aaron Mulrooney and Connor Hall were racing extremely close to each other on the exit of T2, there was an issue of the trucks "clipping" through one another, then leading to a vehicle reaction not consistent with how the contact should have been made. This was further added with Connor's truck "clipping" halfway through Danny Cervantes' truck before any contact registered in that as well. Due to the nature of this accident. the Stewards are ruling this as a netcode issue and no penalty will be given.
• There was a protest on the Lap 82 restart. The Stewards have ruled that there was no 3 wide violation on Connor as the 3 wide happened on the entrance of T1, mainly due to Charles Sumner on the high side braking early being out of the groove, and that there was no overlap between Charles and Austin Hunter who was at the bottom, making it more of a staggered 3-wide than a door-to-door 3 wide that we look to avoid on restarts.
  As for the contact between Thomas Sink and Connor at the apex of T1/2. The Stewards ruled that Thomas did slide up half a lane before Connor made the contact to the quarter panel of Thomas. The contact did lead to Thomas' truck getting upset, but not losing control. This is being ruled a racing deal and no penalty will be given.
• There was a protest against Nicholas Hunter on failing to yield during a wreck and causing unnecessary damage to another driver. The Stewards have ruled that Nicholas did make an attempt to check up, but with his vision a bit skewed he did not check up as hard as the drivers in front of him. There will be no penalty for this review.

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• The following drivers will serve a 1 race suspension for having multiple cautions at Myrtle Beach: Adam Zemke and James Duerr
• The following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at Texas: Adam Schoen, Barron Hilton, Brandon T Adams, Brett Adams, John Labaff, Nicholas Schwartz and William Farmer.

 

[Hootius]

Race 4: Texas

Penalties to be served:

• The following drivers will serve a 1 race suspension for having multiple cautions at Myrtle Beach: Adam Zemke and James Duerr
• The following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at Texas: Adam Schoen, Barron Hilton, Brandon T Adams, Brett Adams, John Labaff, Nicholas Schwartz and William Farmer.

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• The Stewards reviewed the caution that happened on the Initial start of the race. There was an accordion effect throughout the inside line, that started up around Row 4/5. By the time the accordion made it's way back to row 10 or so, there was netcode aided, quarter panel contact between William Farmer and Adam Schoen that triggered a multicar accident. Due to the nature of the accordion and netcode, no driver will be penalized for this caution.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 27 caution. Dominic Begin clipped apron in T2 and slowed down a little, and got hit by Colton Layne who was right on his bumper at that time. The contact lead to a spin and caution. Due to the quick nature of the slow down, Colton will not receive a penalty for the contact. Because of the slow down of the apron touch but not in a way that the Stewards felt he would have lost control, the Stewards are awarding Dominic a partial point for this caution.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 37 caution. The Stewards have found Mark Kealin at fault for clipping the apron in T1, and drifting up into Nicholas Hunter, causing a spin.

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• Due to being charged a caution point at Texas, Mark Kaelin will not be allowed to qualify at Milwaukee.

 

[Hootius]

Race 5: World Wide Tech

Penalties to be served:

• Due to being charged a caution point at Texas, Mark Kaelin will not be allowed to qualify at Milwaukee.

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 11 caution. The Stewards have found Brett Adams at fault for getting into the rear of Nicholas Hunter entering T3.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 23 caution. The Stewards have found Mike Richter at fault for getting into the rear of Danny Cervantes entering T3.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 33 caution. On the exit of T2, there was a 3 wide situation with Patrick Cowgill in the middle and Shelby Huff to the outside as he was getting lapped. While Shelby did not break any rules by not going closer to the outside wall on exit, it left Patrick very little room. Patrick did have a small wobble and got the LR of Shelby, triggering a spin. Due to the factors involved, the Stewards are issuing a partial point to Patrick for this caution.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 43 caution. The Stewards have ruled that start of the incident between the Danny Cervantes and Nicholas Hunter on the front stretch was due to the sizable netcode gap, lead to further chaos by the wall grab that happened to Danny that shot him backwards onto the track. There will be no penalty for the ruling of netcode.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 52 caution. The Stewards have found Jim Westerfield at fault for getting into the rear of Terry Marinaro entering T3.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 57 caution. The Stewards have found Thomas Sink at fault for getting into the rear of Aaron Mulrooney at the apex of T3/4.

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• Due to being charged a caution point at World Wide Tech, the following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at USA: Brett Adams, Mike Richter, Jim Westerfield and Thomas Sink.

 

[Hootius]

Race 6: USA

Penalties to be served:

• Due to being charged a caution point at World Wide Tech, the following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at USA: Brett Adams, Mike Richter, Jim Westerfield and Thomas Sink.

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 2 caution. The Stewards have noted that Patrick Cowgill initiated contact entering T3 by turned left into John Labaff. While it upset the handling of John's truck, he was he able to catch it, and the spin due to wheel spin in T4 immediately thereafter. Due to how the event unfolded, the Stewards have ruled that both drivers have a share in the responsibility and will split the caution point.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 9 caution. The Stewards have ruled that the netcode between Tom Sink and Terry Marinaro on the front stretch, and the ensuing insane wall grab, was not due to a drastic move by either driver. The Stewards are ruling this as a netcode caution and no penalty will be given.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 28 caution. The Stewards have found Doug Evans at fault for getting into the LR of Mark Kaelin in T1, causing a spin.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 36 caution. The Stewards have found Nick Schwartz at fault for getting into the rear of Nicholas Hunter entering T1, causing a spin.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 44 caution. The Stewards have found Austin Hunter at fault for a self spin off of the exit of T4.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 53 caution. Based off of vehicle position without proper overlap of Dominic Begin and turn in positioning of Barron Hilton, the Stewards have ruled that this is a close racing contact between the 2 drivers more than one of the two making a drastic move. The Stewards have ruled that both drivers will share responsibility of the caution.
• During the Lap 53 caution, the Stewards have found Shelby Huff at fault for unsafely approaching and actions leading into joining accident, causing severe damage to other drivers. The Stewards are penalizing Shelby a caution point for this ruling.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 68 caution. The Stewards have found Danny Cervantes at fault for getting into the rear of Austin Hunter in T3, causing a spin.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 81 caution. The Stewards have found Jose Medina at fault for loss of control off of T4.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 91 caution. There was an accordion style incident that saw Mark Kaelin down a quick slow up to not hit Nick Hunter on the exit of T2, and Colton Layne not having anytime to react to that slow and get into the rear of Mark. However right before this moment, the Stewards noted that Mark moved to the left two whole lanes in traffic and was the biggest contributor versus just stay up high where he was. The Stewards are giving Mark a partial caution point for the multi-lane move.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 100 caution. The Stewards have found Adam Schoen at fault for a self spin off of the exit of T4.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 107 restart caution. The Stewards have found Adam Schoen at fault for a self spin.
• The Stewards reviewed a protest of contact on Lap 87 between Brenden Chatley and Aaron Mulrooney. The Stewards have found Aaron at fault for moving left on the backstretch and creating contact with Brenden, resulting in minor damage and a loss of position for Brenden.

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• Due to being charged a caution point at USA, the following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at Daytona: Doug Evans, Nick Schwartz, Austin Hunter, Danny Cervantes, Jose Medina, Shelby Huff
• For being charges with 2 cautions at USA, Adam Schoen is given a 1 race suspension.

 

[Hootius]

Race 7: Daytona

Penalties to be served:

• Due to being charged a caution point at USA, the following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at Daytona: Doug Evans, Nick Schwartz, Austin Hunter, Danny Cervantes, Jose Medina, Shelby Huff
• For being charges with 2 cautions at USA, Adam Schoen is given a 1 race suspension.

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 40 caution. The point of contact that initiated the wreck was between Nick Hunter and Brett Adams. They were 3 wide, and as Nick was slowly moving right as Brett received a bump draft that drifted him left. The bump came from Doyle Lowrance, which was originally centering up before a slight drift made him catch the RR of Brett. Due to these factors all combining at the same moment with no driver making a dangerous move, the Stewards are ruling this a racing deal and no penalty will be given.
• The Stewards reviewed the Lap 45 caution. The point of contact that initiated the wreck was between Bradley Holly and Aaron Mulrooney. As Aaron went to side draft off of Richard Regan, Bradley was behind Richard, but not flush. Before physical contact was made between Bradley and Aaron, the front of Aaron's truck veered left as it was hit in the LR. Due to that movement before physical contact, the Stewards are ruling this as a netcode incident and no penalty will be given.
• During the Lap 45 caution, The Stewards have ruled that William Lee had ample time to properly react to the wreck, but did not and caused severe damage to other vehicles. The Stewards are issuing William a caution point for this infraction.
• During the Lap 45 caution, The Stewards have ruled that Ryan Traver had ample time to properly react to the wreck, but did not and caused severe damage to other vehicles. The Stewards are issuing William a caution point for this infraction.
• The Stewards reviewed the Last Lap wreck as the field approached the checkered flag. There was a sizeable gap between Jim Westerfield and Dominic Begin that showed damage on Dominic's truck and then sent him swerving out of control, where Dominic then had another netcode moment with Doug Evans and Jose Medina. The Stewards are ruling this a netcode situation and no penalties will be given.

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• Due to being charged a caution point at Daytona, the following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at Daytona Road: William Lee, Ryan Traver. Shelby Huff also must not qualify for a previous penalty.

 

[codahex]

Race 9: Atlanta Motor Speedway

Penalties to be served:

• None

Cautions/Protests Reviewed:

• The Stewards have reviewed the Lap 7 caution between N. Hunter #109 and N. Schwartz #44 and have penalized 109 at fault: 1 point. 44 held their line out of turn 1 where 62 and 109 were in tandem below. 109 was not clear out of the exit, came up to follow the backstretch line, and across 44’s nose.
• The Stewards have reviewed the first half of the Lap 36 incident between drivers: A. Hunter #312, P. Cowgill #31, #23 Brett Adams. Result: 0.5 point issued to #23. On the exit of turn 2, 23 catches and bounces off the wall, which causes 31 to collide into 23 as a result, 23 again resumes to bounce off the outside wall further down the backstretch collecting 312 as well and sending all three trucks below the white line and off the racing surface. Wreck was successfully called out over the radio: No yellow was displayed at this point.
• Lap 36 continued…Drivers involved: P. Cowgill #31, D. Lawrence #9. Penalty: #31 issued 1 point. Under green conditions, #31 resided below the racing surface on the back stretch’s apron. #31 proceeded to shift the truck into reverse, bringing it up back onto the track and into oncoming traffic. #9 is unable to avoid the reversing vehicle, causing a collision and resulting yellow being thrown. #9 will not be issued any penalties.
• Lap 72, Drivers involved: Blaine Adams #33, J. LaBaff #911. The stewards have reviewed the protest that was filed and has penalized #33 1 point. On turn 3 going into T4, #33 failed to check up behind the #911, contacting #911’s left quarter panel resulting in loss of control and pushing the car off the racing surface. No caution issued.
• Lap 72, Drivers involved: W. Farmer #86. Penalty: 1 pt. The Stewards witness the #86 becoming loose off of Turn 4, overcorrected their vehicle resulting in the truck snapping right; high into the outside wall. Green conditions continue as the truck continues to move down from the wall to below the racing line, but proceeds to block pit road entrance as he comes to a full stop, resulting of a caution being thrown.
• Lap 84, Turn 1, Drivers involved: D. Knight #17, S. Hunter #71, J. LaBaff #911. Penalty: #911 issued 1 point. Drivers were 3-wide on the exit of T1. #911 is able to turn the truck down off the wall but in unable to avoid door contact (netcode) into car #71. Which causes #71 to make contact with #17, turning S. Hunter.
• Lap 84 continued…Drivers involved: S. Hunter #71, N. Hunter #109, B. Hilton #47. Penalty: #71 issued 1 point. As a result from the previous incident, #71 fails to hold their brake and continues to come back onto the track, collecting both #109 and #47.

Penalties to be Served for the next race:

• The following drivers will not be allowed to qualify at Las Vegas: Nicholas Hunter, Patrick Cowgill, Blaine Adams, William Farmer, John LaBaff, Stacy Hunter