|
Making It Up As They Go |
 |
NASCAR needs to make rules and stick to them
|
|
Join the Discussion
|
"I like the red flag idea there is nothing worse IMO than a race ending under the yellow flag..."
BigDogDan
|
|
|
| |
|
Every now and then NASCAR artificially influences the outcome of
a race in the name of putting on a better show for the fans. This unfortunately happened
again this weekend in Richmond.
With just a few laps remaining NASCAR decided to throw the red flag so as
to ensure that the race would end under the green.
I agree that it is unsatisfying to spend all afternoon (or evening) watching a NASCAR race only
to have the cars cross the finish line at 45mph under caution instead of racing for the win.
Certainly the fans would almost always rather see the race end under green.
My big problem with the red flag at the end of the race is that in it's current use in Winston Cup it
is pretty much arbitrary. Currently when there is a late race caution the fans, teams and drivers
just don't know whether NASCAR will make it end under green or let it run out under caution. This
uncertainty just isn't fair to the teams.
The Craftsman Truck series has a rule stating that all races must end under the green and if there
is a late race yellow there will be a 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.
I understand NASCAR's need to ensure that the fans get to see the best show possible, but they
need to balance that need with predictable, repeatable rules for all of the competitors. In its
current state NASCAR's arbitrary red flag just isn't fair.
The time has come for a clear statement from NASCAR as to their policy on red flagging a race in
order to ensure a green flag finish.
Previous Features
