Question, About the yellow flag?

[MaTH716]

I am a casual Nascar fan. I enjoy watching it. I know most of the drivers and teams and I don't watch it for the crashes. Can someone explain why the yellow flag did not come out right away on the final lap of the 500. If the rule is that once there is a wreck, the field freezes then what happened? Is that even the rule? Because if it is, how can they change it on the fly of the biggest race of the year? Or is it like one of those NHL rules, where a trip isn't a trip with 2:00 minutes left in overtime? Personally I liked it the way it was, when they did race back to the line. Can someone clear this up to me.

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by MaTH716

I am a casual Nascar fan. I enjoy watching it. I know most of the drivers and teams and I don't watch it for the crashes. Can someone explain why the yellow flag did not come out right away on the final lap of the 500. If the rule is that once there is a wreck, the field freezes then what happened? Is that even the rule? Because if it is, how can they change it on the fly of the biggest race of the year? Or is it like one of those NHL rules, where a trip isn't a trip with 2:00 minutes left in overtime? Personally I liked it the way it was, when they did race back to the line. Can someone clear this up to me.

Well, in this particular instance, the yellow flag wasn't dropped because they were coming out of turn 4 on the last lap when the crash happened. Since the accident was happening BEHIND the two leaders, NASCAR decided to let them race back to the line (like they used to.) Basically, NASCAR enjoys making and changing rules at their every whim. They really could care less what anyone else thinks. (Sorry... a bit bitter at NASCAR right now.) I agree with you that they should be allowed to race back to the line, and because of that, Harvick was the right winner, BUT, if NASCAR plans on making rules, they need to stick with them. This garbage of changing them whenever they feel like it has got to stop.

By the way, IF the caution flag would have been thrown and the field was frozen, THIS is what would have happened:



I can understand why Mark Martin fans are upset.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Well, in this particular instance, the yellow flag wasn't dropped because they were coming out of turn 4 on the last lap when the crash happened. Since the accident was happening BEHIND the two leaders, NASCAR decided to let them race back to the line (like they used to.) Basically, NASCAR enjoys making and changing rules at their every whim. They really could care less what anyone else thinks. (Sorry... a bit bitter at NASCAR right now.) I agree with you that they should be allowed to race back to the line, and because of that, Harvick was the right winner, BUT, if NASCAR plans on making rules, they need to stick with them. This garbage of changing them whenever they feel like it has got to stop.

By the way, IF the caution flag would have been thrown and the field was frozen, THIS is what would have happened:



I can understand why Mark Martin fans are upset.

its bullsh*t kiddo...and you know it....that photo you showed should have been the right results.

I like Happy...I do...seems like a good kid...but Nascar has gotten too big for its britches....

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by T3B

its bullsh*t kiddo...and you know it....that photo you showed should have been the right results.

I like Happy...I do...seems like a good kid...but Nascar has gotten too big for its britches....

It depends on what you're used to, hun... in the old days, NASCAR would let them run to the line regardless of what kind of caution there was. NOW, you've got them making and changing rules left and right, and it leaves a lot of fans confused. From what I understand, NASCAR decided they'd throw the yellow when Clint's car started rolling. That was about 5 seconds too late for Mark. It sucks that Mark didn't win, but what sucks even more is that Matt Kenseth (a former teammate) decided to leave Mark hanging out to dry by drafting with Happy instead of Mark. To me, that is BULLSHIAT.

[GPK]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

It depends on what you're used to, hun... in the old days, NASCAR would let them run to the line regardless of what kind of caution there was. NOW, you've got them making and changing rules left and right, and it leaves a lot of fans confused. From what I understand, NASCAR decided they'd throw the yellow when Clint's car started rolling. That was about 5 seconds too late for Mark. It sucks that Mark didn't win, but what sucks even more is that Matt Kenseth (a former teammate) decided to leave Mark hanging out to dry by drafting with Happy instead of Mark. To me, that is BULLSHIAT.

again....Nascar has gotten too big for its britches....cant please everyone. Make rules and stick to them....

[Danzig]

i think nascar stinks like a rotten egg these days. arbitrarily make rules, and then use them when they see fit, and ignore them on a whim...accuse some of cheating, throw folks out, and then let others who don't pass exam keep a win and lose zero points. it's ridiculous! this is professional racing??

if the rule states that there is a caution immediately and no racing to the line, that's what they should have done. it should not be-we throw it if we want, when we want, depending on who's in front or what track it is-well, at least that way they'd be honest!! it's bs.
i guess if martin was driving for childress, they'd have thrown the yellow. and if gordon wasn't gordon, he'd have gotten more than starting 42nd for not passing inspection.

[2MinsToPost]

This will be my one chance in a million to provide some insight that no one else may be able to from my background. I was Chief of Timing and Scoring with ASA (American Speed Association) for the whole 2001 season and part of 2002. Now, I am not versed on NASCAR's Timing and Scoring rules like I was with my employer's at the time; however, I know enough about what happened to possibly clear up some of the confusion. NASCAR made the right call, no question bout it. Here is why.

I am going to keep this as simple as possible. Each car is fitted with a device called a transponder. It is mounted behind the driver on the roll bar, in the same location on each vehicle. Now, every track that NASCAR competes on has scoring loops installed at various points on the track. I would guess, don't know, that Daytona has them installed about every 250 yards or so. All a scoring loop is is a wire installed in a 1/8" to 1/4" cut in the track, usually 1" deep in the surface. When the transponder crosses over that wire, it emits a signal and then the signal hits the wire and is sent to the computer in the tower, hence a car # and time comes up as well as that cars position on the track. Just a little lesson for those that wanted to know.

Long story short, as the leaders made the turn for home off of turn 4, you can pretty much throw out the rulebook in this instance cause it is the Race Directors call, decision. The drivers safety and the ability to put the cars back on the track under racing situations properly lined up are crucial. This would have been almost impossible given the location of the accident in relation to the leaders and the final scoring loop, which of course is at the start finish line. Had this accident occured in turn 3 in between turns 3 and 4 I am certain the Race Director would have thrown the yellow, the reason is that the leaders would still have been in the turn and would not have a clear view of the start finish line.

Again, it is the Race Directors call at that time. It is a split second decision that had to be made and the correct one was. Both Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick race cars for a living. If Mark Martin eased on the gas, shame on him. I would venture a guess that his spotter said into his ear, crash crash so Mark thought yellow yellow. Should have stayed in the gas, clear track ahead.