NHRA Oildown Policy Changes

Recognizing the need to reduce the number of oildowns at NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series events that cause substantial time delays and negatively affect the entertainment value for fans and TV viewers, the NHRA has increased the monetary fines and points penalties associated with oildowns in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories. Oildown penalties for all other classes will remain the same as they were in 2014.

Each Top Fuel and Funny Car team will be fined $1,000 and receive a five-point deduction following its first oildown violation of the season. A second infraction will result in a $2,000 fine and a 10-point deduction. The third violation will bring a $4,000 fine and loss of 15 points.

Monetary fines and point deductions continue to increase on a scale for each additional oildown violation. The 10th violation will result in an $18,000 fine and a 50-point penalty.

"We offer race teams considerable input on how to avoid oildowns," said Graham Light, NHRA's senior vice president of racing operations. "But the responsibility still lies with the team. In 2014, oildowns contributed to significant delays over the course of each race weekend. As we increase the number of live TV broadcasts, we have to make sure that our events stay on schedule."

Monetary fines will be in effect at all 24 events but points penalties will be waived during the six-race NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship.

"Fines are utilized for equipment purchases, personnel training, new technology and support of the NHRA Safety Safari," Light said.

2015 NHRA Oildown Violation Penalties for Top Fuel and Funny Car