Green/White/Checkered????

MountaineerTom · March 8, 2002

From Jayski's

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Overtime? UPDATE: Winston Cup series officials are considering adopting the so-called "green-white-checker" rule used in NASCAR's Craftsman truck and other series. The rule, essentially a NASCAR version of overtime, says every race must end with at least two laps of green-flag racing. If there's a crash in the closing laps of a race, officials wave a red flag to signal drivers to stop on the track. NASCAR cleans the track and, if necessary, adds a lap or two. Other forms of racing don't bother with stoppages and simply finish some of their races under a yellow flag. Every major U.S. sport has a provision for overtime, but NASCAR faces additional challenges: By conserving fuel, a driver sometimes can make one less pit stop than his rivals and win a race. But if a car is running on fumes when NASCAR adds laps, that team gets punished. NASCAR officials are concerned that a second-place driver's teammate might be tempted to crash his car on purpose, giving his buddy a better chance to win.(in part from the USA Today)(3-6-2002)

UPDATE: NASCAR is studying the possible implementation of the green-white-checkered finish system, but no change is imminent. For now, it will continue evaluating each late-race situation on its own merits. “There is a lot of serious thought being given to some form of the green-white-checkered, so that the races can end up green-flag conditions,” Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president of corporate communications, said March 1. “The hardest thing is when you run out of time, you run out of time. There’s so many things (to consider) that it’s not just as simple as just ‘Put the red flag out.’ It’s, ‘Where is the debris on the track?’ and ‘When did the caution car pick up the leader?’ “But I think there’s some real serious thought going in. We’ve thought about it before with the green-white-checkered and the minuses have always seemed, in the Winston Cup division, to outweigh the plusses. But it’s back on the table and I know there were several conversations this week. But until we make a decision, it will be a case-by-case basis. But everyone in NASCAR wants to see the races end under green as well and, hopefully, that will happen.”(Winston Cup Scene - need sub to read)(3-7-2002)

March 8, 2002

The NCTS and NASCAR Late Models don't seem to have a problem with the "Green, White, Checker" rule. Why would WC? Teams can and probably do work out "cautions" under the current set of rules.

I don't see why that was even brought up in the discussion.

I have been to WC and BGN races that finished under caution. I felt ripped off. That's kinda like going to a pro football game with a 3 point difference and calling it off at the two minute warning.

Since decent tickets at most WC events are upwards of $100.00, a finish under green is the least that the fans deserve!

LarryE · March 8, 2002

I would love to see that rule, it's one of the reasons I like ct so much

MountaineerTom · March 8, 2002

I like it too and hope they do it.

sincityZ71 · March 8, 2002

I think that it is a great rule, hopefully they will put it into use.

Elwood · March 8, 2002

I say they should do it.

General Lee 01 · March 8, 2002

I'm allfor it, but I'm a bit curious....

How would this rule differ from a rule about red-flagging the race when the finish seems in jeopardy? ???

MountaineerTom · March 8, 2002

For one, if they do this, everyone will know in advance, instead of on a "case by case basis" as NASCAR says about the red flags. Pluss they could also just keep going around the track under caution, instead of stopping, then get the G/W/C flags.