Caution to the Win

The mysterious "debris caution" reared its ugly head at Atlanta Motor Speedway a couple times in Sunday's Bass Pro Shops 500. Both were loudly trashed by fans as well as some members of the media.

The first came early in the race when Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was in the lead and needed a caution rather than pitting for tires under green and losing the lead. The caution flew for debris in tirn two, that wasn't shown by television cameras. NASCAR listed the reason for the yellow as "TBD," which one media wag quickly pointed out was "to benefit Dale."

Maybe I'm naive, but I sincerely doubt NASCAR would alter the race just to get Junior back into contention. Thousands of fans and a gaggle of press-types beg to differ.

The day's other debris controversy came when a piece of rollbar padding was found on track, brining out a yellow. There was video of the pad coming from Robby Gordon's car, which makes some sense since it was Gordon who benefitted from the timely caution and was put back on the lead lap.

NASCAR deemed the video "inconclusive" and let the call stand, again to the cackling delight of many media personnel.

There's not an easy answer for this problem except for NASCAR to clearly display any debris it finds on track that is the cause of a caution flag. In other words, take the mystery out of the equation.
Posted: 10/29/2006 11:35:00 PM
Comments:
I completely agree safety is a worthy concern.  However, don't you think there are sometimes too many cautions, (some unnecessary).  Cautions add to strategy, (pit/not pit) and give drivers a second chance to get back in the pit sequence (i.e. jr.).  But they also take away from racing during the green flag which other drivers need (i.e. burton).  I agree with the comment about doubting NASCAR's plan to alter the race to benefit Jr.  Although Jr. may be the most popular driver, NASCAR has enough publicity to keep their ratings up and their fan base growing.
Posted On: 10/29/2006 11:35:00 PM
The caution came out when Jr. was about to lose the lead to Jeff Gordon, a few laps before he needed to make a pit stop.  He was not a lap down.
Posted On: 10/29/2006 11:35:00 PM
The caution flew for debris in turn two, wasn't shown by television cameras. Who saw any dedris ??
They show it if they can find it.
Posted On: 10/29/2006 11:35:00 PM
any one who has ever hit a wall at speed knows safty must take front row all who are new to the sport are probably the loud ones
Posted On: 10/29/2006 11:35:00 PM
[b]Maybe I'm naive[/b], but I sincerely doubt NASCAR would alter the race just to get Junior back into contention. Thousands of fans and a gaggle of press-types beg to differ.


I agree, Pete.

Posted On: 10/29/2006 11:35:00 PM

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