NASCAR is not budging on it's decision to take away the victory from Regan Smith.

Smith, who could have won his first career race, went below the yellow line to pass Tony Stewart for the win. Since he went below the yellow line, NASCAR is claiming that it was an illegal pass and was moved to the back of the lead lap which put him in 18th.

NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter says that, “Anything below the yellow line is out of bounds,” and will not be moved on that arguement.

Continuing his statement Hunter states, “You cannot improve your position any time you’re below the yellow line. In our judgment, he improved his position and since it was the last lap, normally we would have imposed a pass-through penalty, which would put him at the tail end of the longest line so we moved him back to 18th position. In the drivers meeting here, it was clearly stated that you cannot improve your position below the yellow line, even on the last lap.”

While Smith feels different on the issue, he aruges, "I was always told if you get forced down there [below the yellow line] you're the winner of the race. On the last lap anything goes, that's what they say in the drivers meeting and that's what I was going with."

Smith also said that he got forced down there and the pass should have counted.

Hunter respects Smiths side of the troubles, but states that the decision is final.

“Anytime we get in a situation like this, there are going to be two sides to every story,” Hunter said. “I respect Regan’s opinion but our decision is final. We do not feel he was forced below the yellow line.”