NHRA’s competition committee announced this week it will eliminate all monetary fines for any oildown violations that occur during qualifying rounds and time trials. The policy applies to all teams, both professional and sportsman classes, and is effective starting at this weekend’s NHRA Summernationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J.

Monetary fines will continue to be enforced for oildown violations that occur during eliminations and points penalties will still be enforced for all oildown violations, in both qualifying and eliminations.

A violation is defined as any incident requiring the use of mechanical equipment to cleanup an oil spill.

“We appreciate the efforts that have been made by NHRA race teams to help with oil containment and reducing the frequency of oildown incidents since the middle of last season,” said Peter Clifford, NHRA president. “NHRA is grateful for everyone’s cooperation in making the racing product and competition better.”

Should a trend of increased oildown violations develop, NHRA can modify the policy and implement additional penalties at any time during the 2016 season.  The event director’s decision is final in determining oildown violations.

Words and photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster