Tony Stewart’s criticism of stock car racing’s rulers for failure to police what he believes is a huge safety issue led to two things: a $35,000 fine for saying bad things about the sport in public, and a rule that required all lug nuts be secured.

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Not four; all five.

So now the guys who wield those noisy impact wrenches will be under the gun. Do it right or face big penalties.

NASCAR.com laid it all out this week.

This week, pit crews had to practice their chores, which included in many cases the extra time of tightening all five nuts on every wheel. Nuts are glued onto wheels before the race so they are ready when required.

If found during pre-race, the infraction is considered an unapproved adjustment, and the violator will be required to correct the issue and drop to the rear of the field before the start of the event.

Multiple offenses for infractions will result in escalating penalties.

The rule change affects not just the tire changer, but the jack man as well. Timing in pit stops is of the essence. So the athletic ballet of men working on machines adjusted with the rule, which in reality returned stock car racing to where it was two years ago. That’s when NASCAR decided to go lax on its enforcement.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was among drivers quizzed about the changes.

“The only way we can fix it today is to put all the officials back on pit road, and that’s not an option,” Earnhardt told USA Today. “Facing that, I think they did what they could do.

“For a while you had half the people arguing it policed itself and you had another group over here that thought it was a safety issue and it appears we have everybody on the same team (now), which I think is great for moving everybody in a better direction. So I’m happy they’re making some choices that are good for the drivers.”

Carl Edwards agreed. “I listened to Brian France speak about it,” he told The Associated Press, “and if the intention is to make safer for the drivers and fans, it’s a good thing.”

Question now is: Which team will be burned first by the rule change?

Live by the rules or pay the price.