[Ron Ortiz]

According to the rule you can be sideways in your lane with smoke coming off the fronts as long as you don't hit a fixture or wall or center line, it is deemed permissible. I know that if a driver is just being stupid there is a rule under safety that over rides all rules. But if a person has control it should not be a violation, according to the rule. If a driver was warned to be more cautious, and he /she does so, then there is no violation. It appears that the car in question had control, probably better than what he was warned about previously. If his actions and control at the time of incident is what got him DQ then there probably be at least 30% of the field getting DQ at the next event.
If the starter is the person making the decision for a top end mishap or violation then we have a problem as his view is limited. That is why officials at the finish line should make the call. They probably do, but we have not been informed as such.
It is NHRA's decision to clarify the rule a little better than the current one. I'll bet their insurance carrier will have a voice in it.
My personal view is that if the fronts have smoke, DQ. Sorry, but I had to look at it from common sense. If you are holding that much, use it wisely.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA more fun just easing the brake