NASCAR Driver Cheated With Modified Gloves to Make His Car Faster

NASCAR stands out among sports as a competition where both fans and competitors not only anticipate but also somewhat respect the ingenuity behind attempts to bend the rules. In a sport where victory can be decided by mere thousandths of a second, every advantage, no matter how slight, holds significant weight.

The recent Cup Series race in Atlanta put a spotlight on Joey Logano, a two-time NASCAR champion. Logano found himself in hot water after an equipment violation during qualifying involving his gloves, which led to him being relegated to starting at the back of the field and serving a pit road pass-through penalty that could have put him a lap down before the race even began.

However, Logano’s fortunes took a turn when an early caution flag flew, sparing him from the full consequences of the penalty. Yet, it wasn’t the outcome of the penalty that dominated post-race discussions, but rather the nature of the violation itself.

Speculation swirled regarding the reason behind Logano’s penalty, with some suggesting his safety gear was outdated. However, the reality was more intriguing—Logano had modified his gloves to gain a competitive edge.

For NASCAR fans curious about how gloves could impact a car’s performance, the answer lies in the nuances of qualifying. During this phase, drivers often use their left hand to deflect wind entering the cockpit through the open driver-side window. While the rest of the car is sealed, the window remains open, covered only by a safety net, which disrupts aerodynamics.

Logano’s innovation involved widening his gloves by adding webbing between the thumb and pointer finger, effectively creating a barrier to block even more airflow. Despite Logano’s intention not to use these modified gloves during the race, NASCAR deemed their use in qualifying as cheating, as safety equipment cannot be altered in any manner.

Joey Logano’s glove penalty explained by @LarryMac28:#RaceDay | https://t.co/mRRDpA6iAy https://t.co/oy8V1MYfA8 pic.twitter.com/Mo8agc6bLh

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 25, 2024

This incident underscores the lengths to which competitors will go to gain an edge in NASCAR, where innovation and creativity are celebrated and tiptoeing the rules is the status quo. It serves as a reminder of the fine line between innovation and infringement and the importance of upholding the integrity of the sport.