Sports · Motorsport · 11 hrs ago
NASCAR warned Talladega drivers over slow speeds but issued no black flags
During Stage 1 at Talladega, many NASCAR drivers slowed to save fuel.
Their pace fell below the track’s minimum speed, which is set using the pole-winning speed.
NASCAR officials warned teams that cars needed to speed up, and about 75 percent of the field had been below the limit for one or two laps, according to NASCAR vice president Mike Forde.
Officials said they considered black-flagging the drivers, which would require them to come to pit road, but the field picked up speed after the warning.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. defended NASCAR officials over the controversy, according to the available account.
The minimum speed can be adjusted during a race as tyre wear changes, and it is also linked to rules for damaged cars.
NASCAR chose not to remove any cars from the race, and the Cup Series was next scheduled to race at Martinsville on November 2.
NASCAR warned teams and drivers at Talladega after many cars fell below the track’s minimum speed.
NASCAR vice president of racing communications Mike Forde said about 75 percent of the field was under the limit for one or two laps.
The pace increased after NASCAR sent a message to pit road, so officials issued no black flags.
At Talladega, the minimum speed was 162 mph, based on a 186 mph pole-winning lap.
Forde said NASCAR generally gives teams time to meet the minimum speed and prefers not to remove cars from races.
- Who
- NASCAR warned teams and drivers; about 75 percent of the field was reportedly under the minimum speed.
- What
- Officials warned drivers over slow speeds but issued no black flags after the pace picked up.
- When
- During Stage 1 of the Talladega race; the article does not state the race date.
- Where
- Talladega.
- Why
- The cars were running below the track’s minimum speed, and NASCAR said the pace rose after its warning.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Many drivers saved fuel and cars ran at around 160 mph.
NASCAR warned teams and drivers through a message to pit road.
The pace increased, and NASCAR did not issue black flags.
- Cars below minimum speed
- About 75 percent of the field for one or two laps
- Talladega minimum speed
- 162 mph (260 km/h)
- Pole-winning speed
- 186 mph (299 km/h)
- Race top speed
- 200 mph, a record for the NextGen car
3 sources
What people are saying
All right, this is some crazy shit
This is like the Richard Petty Driving Experience at a race.
So that message was delivered, and that’s why we did not black flag anybody.
We’re not in the business of putting cars out too often. We’d rather give them the benefit of the doubt.