O’Donnell: “Once we realized there was the need to bring on safety vehicles and the track was oiled down, we threw the caution”
Yesterday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the near 6-hour Brickyeard 400 ended under caution. Anytime that happens, the end emotion from NASCAR fans is disappointed.
I get it, they’ve come to expect a green flag finish. In every case, NASCAR tries to make that happen.
“We’ve said every single time we’ve raced is we will make every attempt possible to finish under green,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer.
He continued to explain that NASCAR made quick safety decisions, “We did that. Once we realized there was the need to bring on safety vehicles and the track was oiled down, we threw the caution.”
In this case, the race was well past it’s window. A 2 hour rain delay and several red flags had pushed the event into sunset. They were moments from losing all sunlight at the speedway. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is one of the few track left, without lights.
If the caution flew before the overtime line. Would NASCAR have gone back green?
Not if it was another red flag situation.
“It would have been,” O’Donnell said. “If we would have red-flagged the race, we would have never got it back in. There was clearly oil on the race track.”
“The race definitely got to the overtime line. You know, the rules clear. That once the leader passes the overtime line and then a caution comes out, the race is over.”
He concluded, “Proud of the team. In terms of the effort they made, to get us back to that point. To allow for another restart. Kasey Kahne was leading the race at that point.”
Author: Shane Walters
2017 Brickyard 400 Finish Video
NASCAR explains Indianapolis Finish
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