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Green
Flag
Green signals the
beginning or resumption of competition. This flag is used at the
beginning of the race or after a caution period to tell the
drivers that the track is clear and they should begin racing for
position. |
A yellow flag means that
there is a hazard on the race track and that the drivers
should slow down and stay behind the pace car. This flag
typically is displayed when there has been an accident.
However it can come out for other reasons such as, light rain,
debris, an emergency vehicle needing to cross the track, a
NASCAR tire check or even if an animal has wandered out onto
the track.
During a yellow flag
situation it is absolutely forbidden to pass the pace car
unless specifically told to by NASCAR (such as the "Lucky
Dog"). Doing so will result in a penalty.
At most tracks, except road
races, the yellow flag period will last a minimum of three
laps. This to allow adequate time for all drivers to pit and
catch back up to the pace car for the restart.
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A white flag means that there is one more lap to go in the
race. This flag is displayed exactly once per race.
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Checkered
Flag
It's over, the
race has been completed. If you are the first one to receive the
checkered flag then you have won the race. |
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Black
Flag
The black flag is
officially called "the consultation flag." It means that the
driver who receives it must pit to respond to a NASCAR concern.
Frequently the black flag is given to a driver who breaks a rule
of some type such as breaking the speed limit on pit road. It
can also be given to a driver who's car is smoking, dropping
pieces on the race track (or in danger of doing so) or a driver
who is not maintaining the minimum safe speed on the race track.
A driver receiving a black flag must pit within five laps. |
Red Flag
The red flag means that all
competition must stop. This not only includes the drivers on the
race track but also the pit crews. If the crew is working on
repairing a car in the garage area then they too must stop work
when the red flag is displayed.
The red flag is commonly seen during a rain delay or when the
track is blocked due to emergency vehicles or a particularly bad
accident.
A red flag is always followed by a few yellow flag laps which
allow the drivers a chance to warm up their engines and pit if
they need to. |
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Black
Flag With White X
If a driver does
not pit within five laps of receiving a black flag they
will be
shown a black flag with a white 'X' on it.
This flag tells the driver that they are no longer being scored
by NASCAR and have effectively been disqualified from the race
until
they obey
the previous black flag and pit.
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Blue Flag
With Orange Diagonal Stripe
This is the
"courtesy" flag or the "move over" flag. It is the only flag
that is optional. A driver may, at his discretion, ignore this
flag.
It is displayed to a car (or group of cars) to let them know
that the leaders are coming up behind them and that should be
courteous and move over to let the leaders race.
Again, this flag is optional... However, NASCAR takes a dim view
of anyone who repeatedly and without a darn good reason ignores
it. |
