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 NASCAR
101: Flags |
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ATLANTA
-- Long before two-way radios were
installed in cars to allow drivers and crews to talk with
each other, the only way for racing officials to communicate
with drivers during noisy racing action was with the use
of colored signal flags.
Nearly every racing series in the United States uses the
same combination of flag colors, usually waved by a flagman
on a platform at the start-finish line, so drivers know
immediately what's happening during the race.
Just like the green, yellow and red signal lights at a
traffic intersection, some of the flags communicate racing
conditions.
GREEN:
The track is clear and cars may proceed at speed. This
flag is used to signal the beginning of the race and any
restarts.
YELLOW
(CAUTION): The track is not clear, slow down and hold
your position behind the pace car. This flag is used to
signal an accident, debris caused by contact or mechanical
failure, or weather-related issues. NASCAR rules allow
cars to bunch up behind the leader. In most cases, lead-lap
cars restart in the outside lane, while any lapped cars
restart to the inside. In addition, a yellow flag during
a practice session means cars should go to pits immediately.
RED:
The track is unsafe and there is a situation that requires
immediate attention. Cars must go to a designated location
and stop. This flag is usually waved in cases of heavy
precipitation, an accident which requires immediate medical
assistance or if the track is blocked. In addition, NASCAR
reserves the right to throw a red flag in the closing
laps of a race to make sure the event ends under green
conditions.
WHITE:
There is one lap remaining in the scheduled distance.
CHECKERED: The event has reached its scheduled distance
and is complete.
In addition, there are flags that communicate information.
BLACK:
Come into the pits immediately for consultation. Normally,
this flag is waved at an individual car, either because
it has a mechanical problem or has broken a rule. Waved
in combination with a red flag signals the end of a practice
session.
BLACK WITH WHITE CROSS:
Cars that refuse to acknowledge the black flag are shown
this flag, which means NASCAR will no longer score them
until they come into the pits for consultation.
BLUE WITH YELLOW STRIPE:
Pay attention to your mirrors, because a faster car is
approaching from behind. Contrary to popular opinion,
this flag does not make it mandatory that slower cars
must move over for the leader of the race. This flag gets
a workout at tracks like Bristol and Martinsville, where
traffic becomes a major factor.
YELLOW WITH RED VERTICAL
STRIPES: Used only on road courses
by corner workers, held or waved to signify debris or
slippery conditions ahead. |
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