[EmpireWF]

Well, what do you guys say? Should they have thrown the caution flag during the last lap of the Daytona 500 when the cars started to wreck behind Martin and Harvick?

I say no. It would've served no purpose and more controversy would have been created had they decided the winner in a different fashion.

I agree with the call to hold the caution and let the race finish.

[Phils20]

No, if they had, people would complain about not finising under the green. From the start of wind tunnel, I can tell this will be a debate all week, but I think they got irt right.

[LSC9901]

I'll not weigh in on this just yet but what I will throw out there, and I'm sure it will be talked about often, is how would you answer this question if the same scenerio had happened on lap 75 ??? When would the flag have been put out ?? What are the actual rules governing when the yellow flag is put out ??

There will be a discussion of this that goes on for the rest of the season. This is the Chad Knaus (2006) issue of 2007. What if, what if.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

I'll not weigh in on this just yet but what I will throw out there, and I'm sure it will be talked about often, is how would you answer this question if the same scenerio had happened on lap 75 ??? When would the flag have been put out ?? What are the actual rules governing when the yellow flag is put out ??

There will be a discussion of this that goes on for the rest of the season. This is the Chad Knaus (2006) issue of 2007. What if, what if.

See my post in "Thoughts on Daytona

Gee, I can't remember any season beginning with this much controversy. Toyota, Montoya, Roush selling half his team ownership to Joh Henry and the Boston Red Sox, the reutrn of Yates, two virtual unknowns finishing in the top ten (Gilliland and Ragan)...all these take a back seat to cheating and a questionable finish in both the CTS and Cup race.

IF the season ends with this much controversy...? Scary thought.

[Quality88]

I saw the recording of the race.... at the time the wrecked happen they were on the front stretch and I believe Harvick would still have been the leader.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Phils20

No, if they had, people would complain about not finising under the green. From the start of wind tunnel, I can tell this will be a debate all week, but I think they got irt right.

That's pretty much my thoughts as well. If it had happened on the backstretch or going into turn 3, throw the caution. But it was so close to the finish line, let the fans have a real race ending.

[oncea3fan]

Well I am not a fan of freeze the field, I always liked racing back to the line until it became a free pass to anyone with in site of the leader. if the lead would race them back to the line it'd be better. I also don't like the lucky dog . I understand the safty part but giving back a lap to a car thats at the tail end (just in front of the leader) sucks, you need to earn it.

[jks812]

They were on the last lap on the last turn. I don't think the caution would have mattered as far as the way the race ended, Harvick had gotten around Martin. So even with a caution Harvick would have still gotten it. They were in a dang if they do dang if they don't situation. They didn't and folks are complaining they should have. If they would have, most folks would be complaining they shouldv'e let em race, after all the wreck was behind them and didn't involve them. I've heard the question bout what if it had been lap 75. Well lap 75 is along way from being last lap and last turn, and alot different. I think they should have thrown the caution. But, not for the 2 racing for the lead. I think it should have been thrown for Bowyer. He is upside down in a car on fire. He needed the safety crew on their way. That wouldv'e been the only reason I would've wanted a caution.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by oncea3fan

. I also don't like the lucky dog . I understand the safty part but giving back a lap to a car thats at the tail end (just in front of the leader) sucks, you need to earn it.

But Once... You miss the point, IRT the "Lucky Dog." Freezing the field solved the safety issue. The "Lucky Dog" is STRICTLY about NA$CAR orchestrating the racing itself by having as many cars finish in the lead lap as possible. I honestly believe that, IF they felt that they could get away with it, NASCAR would have the "Lucky Dog" changed to "Lucky Dogs." They would gladly have EVERY car a lap down go back on the lead lap.

Think of it. EVERY race a close finish (hopefully a photo finish!), contested by the sports most popular drivers. Just like some hack would script it in some B-movie.

[JSAD]

Guys the real issue hear is consistancey nascar needs to have a black and white rule on when there is a caution

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by JSAD

Guys the real issue hear is consistancey nascar needs to have a black and white rule on when there is a caution

You hit the nail on the head with the word "Consistency," JSAD.

My heart wants to agree with you, JSAD, about the need of a black & white rule. It would make it easier, no doubt.

However, my head tells me that there are so many varying situations on a race track, at any given time that a governing body needs the latitude to make decisions dependent on the situation.

Take last night's race for example. A B&W rule about throwing the yellow would have been nice, BUT... How about on the front stretch of the last lap, when dropping the flag would have done nothing to ensure safety, but would only have possibly changed the outcome of the race?

I, personally, don't want to see any governing body go to absolute, etched-in-stone "No Tolerance" rules. They take the personal, individual judgement calls out of the game and give the fans nothing to debate the next day.

[angelav6]

yes they should have thrown the yellow for safty reasons

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by angelav6

yes they should have thrown the yellow for safty reasons

...and your reasoning is this would have made the finish safer how?

[JSAD]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

...and your reasoning is this would have made the finish safer how?

ill take this one most of you probably watched wind tunnel last night and yes mike joy said it would do nothing,
but guess who's payin his sallary?... NASCAR.
he'll say anything they want him to say and quite frankly if they did throw the caution the safety crew could have got to clint bowyer faster and the back of the pack wouldnt have got into the mess

[lilsexy08]

No doubt! Thats all I have to say about that! Robbed I'm tellin ya! Robbed!