Above The Yellow Line: How the Controversial Double Yellow Line Rule Changed NASCAR

NASCAR’s rulebook has undergone several changes throughout the sport’s history. Notably, implementing mandatory safety features for the drivers and teams. From the creation of the HANS device to the invention of SAFER barriers, NASCAR is always looking to better protect its talent.

There is one rule that has taken safety to a whole new level. It’s not a device in the car or something that the drivers have to wear. This rule impacts the style of racing that fans see at superspeedways.

Introducing the double yellow line rule. At tracks like Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta, drivers can’t drop below the line, painted on the apron of the track, to advance their position. If race officials feel this rule was broken, they have the right to black flag a driver.

The double yellow line rule is not cut-and-dry. It relies on discretionary calls, asking officials to judge each moment on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, NASCAR gets these calls right. Other times, fans and drivers are left frustrated.

With the 2024 NASCAR schedule kicking off the season at back-to-back superspeedway-style tracks, it’s time to review the double yellow line rule and its most controversial moments.

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Taylor Kitchen

Taylor Kitchen found her passion for motorsports after watching a NASCAR Xfinity Series race with her grandma in 2016. The following year, she would attend her first race at Kentucky Speedway. The smell of the gas and roar of the engines filling her ears was enough to solidify her love of the sport. She spent the next few years working her way into the NASCAR online community and researching as much as she could to gain a vast knowledge of the sport. However, something was bothering her. At the time, Taylor struggled to find content within the space that was female-led and came from the perspective of a new fan. This inspired her to create her own media outlet, “Above The Yellow Line” in 2021. On this platform, Taylor writes, films, edits, and markets high-quality videos discussing the latest news and events from the sport. In April of 2022, her company partnered with the prominent NASCAR media outlet TobyChristie.com to provide them social media content and to report on location during select race weekends. Since then, Taylor has been able to help build TobyChristie.com's YouTube audience to well over four thousand subscribers and continues to help expand the company's social reach with her team. 2022 marked a new era for the brand as Taylor expanded ATYL’s capabilities to help various drivers with their communications, public relations, digital media, and marketing. In June of that year, she was hired by ARCA Series Champion, Austin Theriault to work for his driver development program, "AT Racing Development". As the organization's Director of Digital Marketing and Media, she produces and directs her clients tailor-made social media strategies. She also takes part in marketing efforts for her drivers. In May of 2023, Austin Theriault of AT Racing Development partnered with Team Hornaday Development and brought Taylor to the team as their Communications Manager. Working with Ron and Candice Hornaday, Taylor helps direct their drivers social media strategy and PR efforts. She also partakes in company and driver marketing and recruiting efforts