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Can't Have It Both Ways |
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You can't throw a red flag one week and not the next!
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Join the Discussion
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"I like the red flag idea there is nothing worse IMO than a race ending under the yellow flag..."
BigDogDan
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It was only a matter of time before NASCAR would work themselves into a hole with their arbitrary red flags. It has
finally happened. No matter your feeling on whether a NASCAR Winston Cup race should run the prescribed distance or
should always end under green you can't be happy with NASCAR's decision making to start off the 2002 season.
Over the last two weeks NASCAR has played it both ways, throwing the red flag in Daytona but allowing Rockingham
to end under yellow. NASCAR needs to make up their mind and then clearly state what the rule is.
The Craftsman Truck Series has a rule stating that all races must end under the green and if there
is a late race yellow the trucks ride around under caution until the track is clear, then they have a wild two lap
green-white-checkers finish. I'm fine with that rule, in fact I love that rule because it's predictable,
uniform and fair for everyone. When there is a late-race caution in a CTS race everyone knows what to expect and
can plan for it.
As it stands now when there is a late-race caution the competitors have no way of knowing whether or not NASCAR will
force the race to end under caution or continue to let the drivers ride around under caution and finish the race. This
makes it virtually impossible for the teams to plan a strategy for the critical closing laps. If a race is going to
finish under caution them obviously you don't pit and give up your position. However, if you've got a couple of green
flag laps remaining then it might make sense to grab four fresh tires and try to storm to the front. How do you
make that decision with the current non-rule?
While I would never accuse NASCAR of trying to control the outcome of the race, the current situation does open the door
to the sport's critics to accuse NASCAR of playing favorites. The case could be made that NASCAR has a grudge against
Sterling Marlin and threw the yellow at Daytona to give him a chance to lose, but didn't at Rockingham so that he
couldn't get the lead back. I honestly do not believe that, but the case could be made.
In its current state NASCAR's arbitrary red flag just isn't fair to the crew chiefs, drivers or fans. The time has come
for a clear statement from NASCAR as to their policy on red flagging a race just to get a green flag finish.
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