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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: Josh Berry, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford, pits during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
The NASCAR playoffs are in full swing, but a surprising moment at the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway has ignited a debate over the sport’s fastest lap bonus system. Josh Berry, despite finishing 38th after a crash on the opening lap, managed to post the fastest lap of the race, a turn of events that has raised eyebrows about whether the rule is truly fair.
Berry’s misfortune began almost immediately. On the second turn of the first lap, his car got loose, made contact with Tyler Reddick, and slammed into the outside wall, per Zach Evans of Racing America.
Repairs took several laps, but once back on track, Josh Berry clocked an impressive 29.038-second lap around the 1.366-mile oval, faster than anyone else that night. That lap earned him NASCAR’s one-point bonus for the fastest lap, even though he completed just 239 of the 367 scheduled laps.
NASCAR communications director Mike Forde confirmed the league will review the fastest-lap rule in the offseason, with potential changes in 2026. Supporters of the rule argue it keeps teams engaged after setbacks, while critics say it unfairly benefits drivers far out of contention.
NASCAR Takes Notice of Josh Berry’s Fastest Lap
During the latest episode of Hauler Talk, Mike Forde addressed the controversy surrounding Josh Berry’s fastest lap. He confirmed the sanctioning body is reviewing the rule, but stressed no changes will occur this season.
“I think that’s some of the conversation in the offseason. Nothing’s going to be changing over the next nine races, but that is something we plan to look at as we move forward into 2026,” Forde said.
NASCAR is carefully weighing both sides of the debate. On one hand, the rule incentivizes teams to return to the track after crashes or mechanical failures, keeping more cars in competition.
On the other hand, detractors argue it doesn’t make sense for a driver who’s dozens of laps down, no longer contending for the win, to still collect bonus points.
The Case for Keeping the Rule
Forde highlighted that fans enjoy seeing their favorite drivers fight back after disaster strikes early in a race.
“Fans of Kyle Larson came out to watch him, and they want to continue seeing him strive and compete for something when you’re double- or triple-digits laps down,” Forde explained.
From a team perspective, the bonus point is rarely controversial. “I imagine if you ask the teams, they probably are for it,” Forde added. “They’re competitors, and it gives them something to race for … no one’s knocking down the doors of the hauler to gripe about it.”
Josh Berry Isn’t Alone: Other Drivers Reaping Fastest-Lap Points
Josh Berry isn’t the only driver to benefit from this rule. According to John Martinez, Kyle Larson has leveraged it multiple times, collecting four fastest-lap points this season. Twice, he set the fastest lap after extensive repairs, finishing 36th at Mexico City and 39th at Watkins Glen.
He also secured the bonus at Circuit of the Americas and Kansas. Those points proved pivotal, helping him edge out teammate Chase Elliott in the 2025 regular-season standings and secure an extra playoff point.
Dogli Wilberforce Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer covering football, basketball, MMA, and other trending sports stories for outlets including Total Apex Sports, and Last Word on Sports. He has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce
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