http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/11356848/nascar-announces-rules-change-where-drivers-leave-cars-track-incidents

NASCAR has implemented a new rule prohibiting drivers from exiting their cars after on-track incidents unless "extenuating circumstances exist," NASCAR vice president Robin Pemberton announced Friday.

The new rule states that if cars involved in an on-track incident are unable to make forward progress, the driver must shut off electrical power, lower the window net and then wait, without removing any personal safety equipment, until safety personnel or a NASCAR official arrives on the scene.

The rule states that "at no time, should a driver or crew member approach any portion of the racing surface or apron" or "approach another moving vehicle."

Extenuating circumstances include "fire, smoke in cockpit, etc."

The rules change comes in the wake of last Saturday's incident in which Sprint Cup driver Tony Stewart struck and killed driver Kevin Ward Jr. during a dirt-track race in New York.

Stewart will sit out his second straight race this week.

After Stewart clipped Ward's car, sending it spinning, Ward got out of the car during the caution period, walked down the track and was hit by Stewart. The rules change "is on the heels of that," Pemberton said.

"Throughout the history of our sport, NASCAR has reviewed and analyzed situations and occurrences that take place not just in NASCAR racing but also throughout all motorsports and other sports," Pemberton said. "When we believe we can do something to make our sport safer and better for the competitors and others involved in the competition environment, we react quickly. Safety always has been priority No. 1 at NASCAR."

As with other behavioral infractions, NASCAR will handle each instance separately when assessing potential penalties.

Quote :

Rule 9-16: On-Track Incident Procedure

During an Event, if a racecar is involved in an on-track incident and/or is stopped on or near the racing surface and unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating emergency conditions exist with the racecar (i.e. fire, smoke in cockpit, etc.) the driver should take the following steps:
• Shut off electrical power and, if driver is uninjured, lower window net.
• Do not loosen, disconnect or remove any driver personal safety equipment until directed to do so by safety personnel or a NASCAR/Track Official.
• After being directed to exit the racecar, the driver should proceed to either the ambulance, other vehicle, or as otherwise directed by safety personnel or a NASCAR/Track Official.
• At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach any portion of the racing surface or apron.
• At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach another moving vehicle.
• All vehicles not involved in the incident or that are able to continue afterwards should slow down to a cautious speed as outlined in Section 10-4 (Yellow Flag), use extreme care as they approach an incident scene, and follow any directions given by safety personnel or NASCAR/Track Officials. Cars in line behind the safety car should not weave or otherwise stray from the line in the vicinity of the incident.