Smoke got hosed

[EDT]

In the event of a green-white-checker finish, the field is frozen at the moment of caution, based on scoring loops placed around the track. NASCAR "does it's best" to re-create the field order at the moment of caution. We've been repeatedly told on TV broadcasts that the field order is based upon the last scoring loop crossed prior to the caution...

So, on Sunday during the green-white-checker at Talladega, there was a wreck further back in the field from the leaders. The #20 was involved in an incident shortly thereafter. The caution was out before the #20 lost any positions, however.

Shouldn't Stewart have finished 4th?

Here's a link to a picture:

Moment of Caution

If you're suspicious about the picture, go to http://www.nascar.com/multimedia/cup/ and click on the "Final laps: a wild finish at Talladega" link. I took this right out of that video.

[lawdog]

No. The rule has ALWAYS been that while the field may be frozen, in order to continue scoring, you must maintain a reasonable speed under caution and keep pace with the field. At the caution, they were a lap and a half from being done, that's why the rode around and finished and he didn't. This is always the rule in any racing I've ever followed.

They discussed this on inside Nextel Cup tonight too and those guys all basically said "how in the world can this be confusing? He was out of his car for two laps when it finished..."

What it means when a field is frozen, is that no one can advance their position (ie pass anybody).

[PierBridge]

Thanks Lawdog...

[EDT]

OK, I managed to catch Inside Nextel Cup this morning... I was wrong.

What's still amazing though is how many times in the past I've heard them say that when the caution comes out, the race is over. I never realized that they had to continue to the checker under caution.

I imagine that if someone ran out of gas under caution it would be the same deal.

[eyepatrol]

Yep. That's why some who are tight on fuel get concerned about green/white checker finishes. They need enough to finish the race, even under caution.

[musky999]

Yeah, that is to bad for Tony, it seems like he has been a little stressed over alot of things. He's post race comments where not the best toward the 38 car.

[lookincalifornia]

i thought it was funny that he claimed nascar was turning into WWE. then he is out on the track pointing fingers like he's calling someone out on the mat.