Competition cautions

[Sweaty Teddy]

Does anyone else find the concept of "competition cautions" to be a bit contrived? Is the track really all that changed? Aren't these guys professionals? Can't they figure this stuff out on their own?

The only thing more contrived to me is the special "competition cautions" they have when it rains on a road course, taking away the tire option or any of the variables that would makes weather during a road race interesting.

[JMFVET]

What is a competition caution? Can someone please explain the use and logic to a casual fan? Seems somewhat oxymoronic to me.

[Neshaminy]

It's just another way to micromanage......it's all about control

[porscheman]

Just a way to check the tire wear on a vastly changed track surface for safety. I'm okay with it. No biggie.

porscheman

[roach]

...Is the track really all that changed?...

Depends on what your definition of "changed" is. At the start of the race, the spotters were warning the drivers about standing water on parts of the apron.

[jonesi]

The only problem with it is the name, "competition cautions" should be more properly name "tire wear safety cautions" except Goodyear wouldn't like that name.

[Sweaty Teddy]

What is a competition caution? Can someone please explain the use and logic to a casual fan? Seems somewhat oxymoronic to me.

When track conditions change radically during an event, for example say it rains between qualifying and the race, washing the rubber off the track, NASCAR throws a caution flag on a predetermined lap to check tire wear. You're not allowed to change tires until that caution unless you have a flat. The problem is, what happens if there is a tire issue? The track conditions are the track conditions and they're the same for everyone. NASCAR is to only professional series I know of that uses the competition yellow. To me it's more about making sure Goodyear doesn't look bad than anything else. The

[JMFVET]

When track conditions change radically during an event, for example say it rains between qualifying and the race, washing the rubber off the track, NASCAR throws a caution flag on a predetermined lap to check tire wear. You're not allowed to change tires until that caution unless you have a flat. The problem is, what happens if there is a tire issue? The track conditions are the track conditions and they're the same for everyone. NASCAR is to only professional series I know of that uses the competition yellow. To me it's more about making sure Goodyear doesn't look bad than anything else. The

Not meaning to be a "Hater" but that seems just plain stupid. Drivers should be able to give feedback on how the car feels and how the feel changes lap to lap. If the cars are "going away" there will either be a yellow anyway or drivers who feel it is necessary should have to make green flag pitstops. The "competition caution" just takes away an opportunity for strategy/risk taking between teams.

[Big Daddy]

apparently nascar drivers have to be babied now. they cant figure things out on their own, so they need competition yellows. They cant run close together, so they need restrictor plates. they cant handle a full challenging road course so they use the easiest layouts at watkins glen and infineon and still cant handle them (except the real drivers like Gordon, JJ, Stewart, busch bros, harvick).

They cant create excitement at the end, so Nascar throws fake yellows to bunch them up. They cant handle tracks that actually require them to drive, so Nascar puts up banking (bristol, phoenix, homestead). Are they going to bank martinsville next?

[Canth]

Competition yellows and Goodyear are why I will never attend another Brickyard 400 in person.

[jabba19]

apparently nascar drivers have to be babied now. they cant figure things out on their own, so they need competition yellows. They cant run close together, so they need restrictor plates. they cant handle a full challenging road course so they use the easiest layouts at watkins glen and infineon and still cant handle them (except the real drivers like Gordon, JJ, Stewart, busch bros, harvick).

They cant create excitement at the end, so Nascar throws fake yellows to bunch them up. They cant handle tracks that actually require them to drive, so Nascar puts up banking (bristol, phoenix, homestead). Are they going to bank martinsville next?

They have done the competition yellow thing for many years. It is nothing new and as was explained, it is for safey reasons. You seem to have a lot of hatred for Nascar, perhaps you shouldn't watch.

[Jack Harrington]

What is a competition caution? Can someone please explain the use and logic to a casual fan? Seems somewhat oxymoronic to me.

Close...It's just MORONIC...

[Jack Harrington]

They have done the competition yellow thing for many years. It is nothing new and as was explained, it is for safey reasons. You seem to have a lot of hatred for Nascar, perhaps you shouldn't watch.

Racing is supposed to be entertainment...For the TV money FRANCECAR is getting, it could at least be entertaining...ALWAYS...He stated his opinion...This is an internet forum...That's what internet forum's are for...To express your opinion...

[Round Robin]

I hate the damn fools who run NASCAR with a passion, but the competition yellows don't bother me much. As stated above, a lot of the reason for the competition yellows is probably to keep Godyear from looking bad in addition to the safety aspect, and since they only do one a race if any at all, I think the benefits, even if they don't amount to that much, are worth more than the few minutes a competition yellow requires.

[mdkiel]

There was once a time when races ran under green long enough for the entire field to cycle through green flag pit stops. The skill of the crew along with the drivers ability to get smoothly on and off pit road would have some bearing on the outcome of the race. This would be especially exciting if it took place on the last round of pit stops and the race was on the line. Does anybody remember those days and miss them as much as I do?