Originally Posted by
asgelle
This isn't a debate. You've seen the black letter rules; I've told you how USAC officials (at least in my district) are trained to interpret them. You don't have to like them, but if you race in the U.S., this is the system you'll be racing under.
And that's the rub. Doge used to go on and on about this, but the rules aren't consistently applied. I agree that a dropped chain isn't a mechanical, but I've seen at least one person get a free lap for it. And when the rules aren't consistently applied, and racers don't read the full rule book, it creates confusion and anger - as is the case with Spec, who didn't get a free lap for a dropped chain.