Feb
19
NASCAR’s Prayer: Dear Lord Wee Baby Jesus Baby, Please Let The Auto Club 500 at California Speedway Be the Most Boring, Uneventful Race Ever
February 19, 2007 | Posted by VroomDude
Lots of people weighing in on the controversial Daytona finish, which, like the entire week, was a mixed blessing for NASCAR. Lots of excitement counterbalanced with lots of controversy.
This one really was a no-win situation for NASCAR officials, as far as whether to throw the yellow or not. If they do throw the yellow, everyone gripes about it (regardless of whether Mark or Kevin was declared the ultimate winner), pointing out that the wreck was well behind them and had no effect, that they easily could have raced to the finish without endangering any wrecked cars, yada yada yada.
And those people would have been right. One of the reasons NASCAR went to the green-white-checkered format was to address the complaints of fans when races ended with a whimper, under caution, so it’s a little hard to hold their feet to the fire as questioning their decision to let them race to the finish and not throw the yellow. I think most fans and drivers alike would agree that a race to the finish is best option, assuming that it’s safe to do so.
On the flip side, everyone pointing out a lack of conisistency in when NASCAR throws the yellow in situations like that is also absolutely right. Technically speaking, the fact that it’s the last lap shouldn’t have any impact on whether or not you throw it, how fast you throw it, etc. Any other time in the race the yellow would have been immediately out, as that was a pretty massive wreck and not just someone tapping the wall. I imagine everyone watching was a little surprised that they didn’t throw the yellow, as I know VroomChick and I definitely were.
Even though I’d personally rather see them race to the finish, I guess I end up on the side of those asking for a little consistency. It’s always going to be a bit of a judgment call, as far as what warrants a yellow, but in a wreck like that it’s kind of hard to argue for not throwing it, even if it is Daytona, even if two cars are neck and neck, racing for the finish line.
Comments
1 Comment so far
I think the problem would have been…when to throw the yellow? Better just to vroom to the checkered flag!