Why Did I Get A Penalty And What Did I Do Wrong?

New to NASCAR 25? Learn why penalties happen and how to avoid them. Quick fixes, settings, and drills to stop black flags fast. Clear steps for beginners.

You’re running a decent race and—boom—black flag. It feels unfair and confusing. This guide explains Why Did I Get A Penalty And What Did I Do Wrong? in plain English, then gives you fast, repeatable fixes so you can stay green-flag fast.

Quick answer

Most penalties in NASCAR 25 come from three buckets: pit road (speeding, wrong entry/exit), starts/restarts (jumping the start, passing too early, out-of-bounds at superspeedways), and track limits (road courses and chicanes). The game is enforcing real NASCAR-style rules, and it will black-flag you if you gain advantage outside those rules. Slow down to the limit on pit road, wait until the start/finish line to pass on restarts, stay above the double yellow at Daytona/Talladega, and keep at least two tires on track at road courses. If you get a black flag, serve it right away (drive-through or pit) or you may be disqualified.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• On the next pit entry, brake early and be at pit speed before the cones/line; hold that speed to your stall.
• On restarts, hold position and do not pass before the start/finish line; stay in your lane until clear.
• At Daytona/Talladega, do not advance position below the double yellow line; give spots back if you do.
• On road courses, keep at least two tires on the racing surface/curbs through chicanes; if you cut, lift and give the time back.
• If black-flagged, serve the penalty immediately: complete a drive-through or pit as prompted so you aren’t disqualified.

What this means in NASCAR 25

• Penalties are the game’s way of enforcing rules so races stay fair and safe.
• Black flag = you must take action (slow down/drive through/pit) within a set number of laps.
• Yellow flag = caution; you typically can’t pass and must maintain order.
• Common rule spots:
  • Pit road: Each track has a speed limit. You must enter after the entry cones/line, be at or under the limit, stop in your own box, and exit after the merge line.
  • Starts/restarts: You cannot pass before the start/finish line. Stay in your lane until you cross the line.
  • Superspeedway out-of-bounds: At Daytona/Talladega, advancing position below the double yellow is illegal.
  • Track limits: On road courses, cutting chicanes or leaving the surface to gain time is penalized.
• Why it matters: Clean driving keeps you on strategy, protects your tires and car, and lets you progress in career modes without DQs.

Why Did I Get A Penalty And What Did I Do Wrong? (common reasons)

• Pit road speeding: You entered too hot or accelerated early leaving your stall.
• Jumped the start/restart: You passed a car or changed lanes before the line.
• Out-of-bounds pass: You advanced position below the double yellow (Daytona/Talladega).
• Track limits: You cut a corner or missed a chicane and didn’t give time back.
• Passing under caution: You overtook when the field was frozen.
• Unsafe pit entry/exit: You crossed the blend/commit lines or pitted when closed (if enforced).

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• Symptom: Instant black flag entering pits
  • Likely cause: Over pit speed limit at the timing line
  • Fix: Brake earlier; be at or under limit before the cones/line; short-shift and use gentle throttle
• Symptom: Black flag on restart
  • Likely cause: Passed before start/finish or changed lanes early
  • Fix: Hold position to the line; wait to pass until after you cross it
• Symptom: Penalty at Daytona/Talladega during a pass
  • Likely cause: Advanced position below double yellow
  • Fix: Stay above the line; if you dip below, lift and give the spot back immediately
• Symptom: Time penalty or slow-down prompt at a chicane
  • Likely cause: Corner cut/track limits
  • Fix: Lift off-throttle to surrender the gained time before the next sector
• Symptom: Black flag leaving pits
  • Likely cause: Merged before the blend line or sped before pit exit line
  • Fix: Stay on pit speed to the exit line; use the merge lane until the line ends
• Symptom: Disqualified after ignoring messages
  • Likely cause: Did not serve a black flag within the allowed laps
  • Fix: Serve drive-through or pit next lap as the prompt indicates

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Serve an active penalty

   • Look for an on-screen prompt like “Black Flag – Serve drive-through” or similar.
   • Next lap, stay on the racing surface and drive through pit lane without stopping unless the prompt says “stop-and-go.”
   • You should see the black flag clear on exit. If it doesn’t, check the penalty text and follow it exactly.

   Common gotcha: If you enter pits when they’re closed (under certain cautions), you’ll get another penalty. Wait for “pits open” or the game prompt if that rule is enforced.

2. Check or adjust rules/penalties settings

   • Likely path A: Main menu → Options/Settings → Race or Rules → Flags/Penalties.
   • Likely path B: Before-event setup screen → Race Settings → Flags/Rules/Assists.
   • What to change:
     • If there’s a “Flags/Penalties: On/Off/Visual” toggle, set to On or Visual in races; Off for practice while learning.
     • If there’s “Strictness” or “Ruleset,” choose Relaxed while you learn.
   • You should feel fewer harsh black flags while you practice without losing the rules entirely.

3. Learn pit road speed without guessing

   • Enter a Practice/Single Race session.
   • Do slow entries: brake at the entry cones/line, hold steady throttle in a higher gear to avoid wheelspin.
   • Watch for any HUD pit speed indicator or your speedo; target 1–2 mph under the limit.
   • Repeat until you can hit the stall without speeding.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

• Beginner:
  • Flags/Penalties: Visual or Relaxed (learn without DQs)
  • Stability/Traction: On (reduce spins that trigger track-limit cuts)
  • Braking Assist: Low/On if available (helps at road course chicanes)
  • Why: Lets you focus on lines, pit rhythm, and restarts.
• Intermediate:
  • Flags: On, Strictness: Normal
  • Stability: Medium/Off on ovals, Low on road courses
  • Why: You’ll build discipline for starts/pits with fewer surprises.
• Advanced:
  • Flags: On, Strictness: Full
  • Assists: Off/minimal
  • Why: Maximum realism and racecraft carry-over to online.

Note: If NASCAR 25 uses different names, look for options labeled Flags, Rules, Penalties, or Strictness.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Context: Single-car practice at a 1.5-mile oval (for pit entry) and a road course (for track limits).
• Oval focus:
  • Do 5 laps hitting pit road at a consistent brake marker. Goal: no speeding, stop on your marks, clean merge.
• Road course focus:
  • Do 5 laps aiming to keep two tires on track through each chicane; if you cut, lift immediately for one second.
• Success looks like: No black flags in 10 minutes; consistent pit entries within 1–2 mph under the limit.
• Avoid: Diving to the pits from the racing groove at the last second; it will trigger unsafe entry or speeding.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Rushing into pit road
  • Why: Braking too late from race pace
  • Fix: Pick a brake marker two billboards earlier than you think; downshift sooner
• Passing before the line on restarts
  • Why: Reacting to the leader’s jump
  • Fix: Watch the start/finish line, not the cars; only pass after you cross it
• Cutting the bus stop/chicane
  • Why: Entering too hot
  • Fix: Brake in a straight line, straddle the curbs with two tires, and short-shift to control wheelspin
• Merging before the blend line
  • Why: Trying to get up to speed too quickly
  • Fix: Stay in the merge lane until the line ends; check mirrors/relative
• Ignoring penalty prompts
  • Why: Focused on battling
  • Fix: Serve it next lap; a quick drive-through is better than a DQ
• Gaining a spot below the double yellow
  • Why: Running out of room
  • Fix: Lift and give the spot back immediately; set up passes above the line

FAQs

• Why did I get a black flag on the restart?
  • You likely passed before the start/finish line or changed lanes early. Hold position to the line, keep your lane, and then pass after you cross it.
• Why did I get a pit road speeding penalty?
  • You crossed the pit entry timing line over the limit or accelerated before the pit exit line. Brake earlier, target 1–2 mph under the limit, and stay on speed until clear.
• Can I turn off penalties in NASCAR 25?
  • In most NASCAR titles you can adjust Flags/Penalties in Race/Rules settings. If available, set to Off or Visual while practicing, then move to On for real races.
• How do I serve a black flag?
  • Follow the on-screen prompt: usually a drive-through of pit lane or a stop-and-go. Serve it the next lap; failing to do so can trigger disqualification.
• Why did I get penalized at Daytona/Talladega for a clean pass?
  • Advancing position below the double yellow line is illegal. If you dip below to avoid contact, lift and give the spot back to avoid or clear the penalty.
• Why did I get a slow-down penalty at a road course?
  • You exceeded track limits or cut a chicane. Lift to surrender the gained time; if you ignore it, you may get a larger penalty.
• What does “pitting when closed” mean?
  • Under some cautions, the pits are closed initially. If the game enforces this, wait for “pits open” before entering to avoid a black flag.

Next steps

Penalties feel harsh until you learn where and why they trigger. Dial in pit entries, be patient on restarts, and respect track limits—you’ll stay clean and competitive. Next, practice with relaxed flags, then turn them on and race.

• Related articles:
  • Pit Road Speed: How to Hit It Every Time
  • Restarts 101: Lane Discipline and Timing
  • Track Limits and Chicanes: Clean Laps at Road Courses
  • Flags and Penalties: Glossary for New Players
  • Clean Passing Without Contact

Suggested images

• Suggested image: On-screen black flag prompt with “Serve drive-through” highlighted and arrows pointing to the message area.
• Suggested image: Pit entry at an oval with cones/entry line circled and a “brake here” marker.
• Suggested image: Restart view with the start/finish line highlighted and “do not pass before here” label.
• Suggested image: Daytona/Talladega backstretch showing the double yellow line with “out-of-bounds” shaded area.
• Suggested image: Road course chicane with a path line showing two tires on the curbs to stay within limits.