Free pass (NASCAR)

In NASCAR racing, the free pass is a rule that allows one lapped car to return to the lead lap during a caution period. It is awarded to the first car one lap down when the caution flag is displayed.

The free pass rule aims to prevent lapped cars from significantly impacting the outcome of a race. Without the free pass, lapped cars would remain behind the leaders, potentially hindering their progress or affecting race strategy. By granting one car a lap back, the rule reduces the number of lapped cars and allows that driver to race with the lead pack.

The driver who receives the free pass must restart at the rear of the longest line in the field for the subsequent restart. They are not eligible to receive the free pass again until another driver receives it. The free pass is not awarded if there is a car that has served a penalty of any kind; in that instance, the free pass will be awarded to the next car down.

The rule was introduced in 2003 and has been modified slightly over the years, but the core principle of allowing a lapped car to rejoin the lead lap remains the same. The free pass is distinct from the "lucky dog" rule used in some other racing series, although the two rules share a similar objective. The "lucky dog" is determined by the first car to be one lap down, regardless of how far down that car is to the leader. The free pass goes to the first car one lap down to the leader.