NASCAR has seen its share of tough calls when it comes to keeping the sport clean and safe. Back in May 2023, Derek Hartnagel, a truck chief for GMS Racing’s No. 43 team, found himself sidelined after violating the substance abuse policy. It’s a reminder of how seriously the sanctioning body takes these issues, much like when Jeremy Mayfield, a veteran with 433 Cup starts, got hit with an indefinite suspension in 2009 for methamphetamine use, derailing his career amid legal battles. But stories like these often have twists down the road.

Hartnagel’s case echoes the challenges crew members face under strict rules designed to protect everyone in the garage. With time passed and requirements met, questions arise about second chances in racing. So what changed for this behind-the-scenes veter

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