SolveYourProblem
Article Series: NASCAR
Everything You Need To Know About NASCAR
Racing
through a Yellow Flag - Right or Wrong?
The yellow flag is used as a signal to the drivers there
is trouble on the track. It could include wrecks,
wet track surface, or debris on the racetrack. The yellow flag
tells
the drivers to slow down and get in line behind the pace
car. They may not pass another driver once the yellow flag
is out. A single line forms behind the pace car and the field
moves slowly around the track. The “lucky dog rule” was set
up to allow the first car that is a lap down to go back
to the lead lap. When the track has been cleared, the drivers
form a line on the outside the track if they are on the lead
lap, and on the inside of the track if they are not on the
lead lap. When the green flag drops the race is on again.
There
has been a controversy brewing about drivers winning under
the yellow flag. Drivers are no longer allowed to race
to gain a higher position while the yellow flag is flying.
This was done to cut out accidents while drivers were racing
to improve position. The lucky dog rule allows the first car
that is a lap down to regain the lead lap. This is meant to
even out the field and give drivers another chance to get back
into the race. When the race is full of yellow caution flags,
it can give several drivers a boost that could lead to a better
place finish or even a win.
Racing in April at Talladega Superspeedway is a good example
of how racing under the yellow can affect the outcome of the
race. Dale Jarrett finished third after two of his competitors
were allowed back on the lead lap because of the “lucky dog”
rule. And in another race Jeff Gordon won the race under a
yellow caution flag. Needless to say the fans were not happy
with the result and it gave an anticlimactic finish to what
is supposed to be an exciting sporting competition.
A
gentlemen’s agreement recognized that the yellow caution
begins at the start/finish line. Meanwhile, drivers continued
to race
for position. That was the unspoken rule until a near tragedy
forced NASCAR to look the problem and make changes. Dale Jarrett
lost control of his car while driving at the New Hampshire
International Speedway and spun to a stop
heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, DJ was on
the backstretch and drivers had already passed the start finish
line under the white flag signaling one more lap to race. They
saw no reason to slow down and a skirmish followed on the last
lap. Fortunately, Jarrett did not receive injuries but it could
have been a tragedy that rivaled the loss of Dale Earnhardt
the year before at Daytona.
Changing
the rule to keep drivers from racing on the yellow caused
some problems because of the way races were spotted.
Many spotters had to agree on what they saw and every driver
had to be watched to make sure they remained in racing order.
This proved to be a formidable task. A technological solution
implemented in 2003 proved to be the answer to the problems
involved with the “freeze” of the racing field after the yellow
flag is thrown out. This system detects the precise running
order of the field after the yellow flag comes out. There are
sensors installed in every speedway and racetrack that is in
the NASCAR circuit. This includes racetracks that run Nextel
Cup, Busch Series, and Craftsman Truck Series races. This technology
has allowed NASCAR to enforce the yellow flag policy and ensure
a safer race.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
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