Racing back to the caution

In automobile racing, specifically NASCAR stock car racing, "racing back to the caution" is a term used to describe a procedure about what drivers did after a caution flag was displayed.

NASCAR usage

The procedure was used in NASCAR racing series when the pace car was deployed as a result of an on-track emergency such as a crash or rain. When NASCAR declared a caution period, racing would not cease immediately; rather, the drivers could continue racing for position until they crossed the start-finish line and received the caution flag. Drivers were able to catch up a lap if they passed the leader,

Problems with racing back to the caution

afety

The practice sometimes created dangerous situations in which cars would be racing near wrecked cars, with possibly injured drivers, and prevent the safety team from reaching the stricken cars quickly. Also, there were numerous situations where cars racing back to the caution nearly, or in some cases did, become part of the crash by plowing into slow or stopped cars on the track.This especially showed during the 2003 Sylvania 300 at Loudon when Dale Jarrett had stopped in the middle of the track while the drivers were racing back to the yellow flag.

Competition

In addition, many drivers felt there was an unwritten "gentlemen's agreenment" about not racing back to the yellow during the race. Many drivers felt that once a yellow came out, that all drivers should hold their position, and not try to take advantage of the yellow flag, especially if it was early in the race. This practice, however was never official, and the self-policing of it was very inconsistent.

This facet was magnified around the same time as the aforementioned Loudon incident at the 2003 Dodge/Save Mart 300.cite news
url =http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2003-06-22-gordons_x.htm
title =Robby Gordon wins road race at Sonoma
publisher =USAToday.com
date = 2003-06-22
accessdate = 2008-03-17] cite news
url =http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2003-06-22-gordons_x.htm
title =Fury at Infinron
publisher =San Francisco Chronicle
date = 2003-06-23
accessdate = 2008-03-17] On the 71st lap, Kevin Harvick was leading Robby Gordon when a caution came out for a crash at a different part of the track. Gordon kept charging, and passed Harvick in the keyhole turn, taking the lead before they crossed the start/finish line. Harvick called it a "chicken move" and Jeff Gordon said "I could not believe it when I saw it" and called his passing under the yellow "unheard of."

The controversial pass, however, was entirely legal under NASCAR rules at the time, and Robby Gordon was assessed no penalty. The so-called "unethical breach of racing ethics" proved to be the winning edge, and Robby Gordon went on to win the race. He was subjected to considerable scrutiny and ridicule after the race. However, others considered the complaints hypocricy or "sour grapes" by the losers.

Lapped cars

In some cases, when the caution came out, leaders would purposely slow down, and allow lapped cars to pass them and thus get their lap back back before they crossed the start/finish line. This was a long-standing practice, and frequently was part of race strategy. Sometimes by being kind enough to let a driver get his lap back, a favor would be expected later in the race in return.

This practice was scrutined as well though, when it was seen to be abused. A controversy arose during the 2003 Samsung/Radio Shack 500 at Texas. On the 169th lap, the yellow came out for a spin with Matt Kenseth leading. Kenseth backed off in turn 4 to allow teammates Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch to get their laps back. Jeff Gordon, however, sped past all three beat them back to the start-finish line, officially taking the lead. However, instead of Gordon keeping the lead, NASCAR scored Kenseth in front, while Busch and Rudd were allowed to make up a lap. After the race, NASCAR acknowledged the error.cite news
url =http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-99457493.html
title =NASCAR: NASCAR admits mistake during Samsung/Radio Shack 500
publisher =The Sports Network
date = 2003-04-01
accessdate = 2008-03-17]

After racing back to the yellow was eliminated, a special exception to this practice was implemented and allowed, by the "Lucky dog" rule.

Current NASCAR rule

As a result of this, NASCAR changed their rules. Once a yellow comes out now, the field is frozen in running order immediately, and the order is determined by inspecting the order that the driver's transponders had passed a series of wire checkpoints around the track. In order to not totally obliterate the possibility of regaining lost laps, they implemented the lucky dog rule in which the highest-placed car not on the lead lap is given the opportunity to make a lap up under yellow.

References