NASCAR: Racing Flags and What They Indicate

The flags in NASCAR (and all forms of auto racing) are designed to inform the drivers of track conditions or provide a way for officials to communicate other information to the drivers. Before radios were installed in the cars to allow two-way communication between the driver and his crew or race officials, the flags were the only way to inform the drivers of events or circumstances within the race. Each flag was designed with a specific color, color combination or symbol so the drivers will know at a glance the meaning of each flag.

Listed below, you will find each flag used in NASCAR and what it indicates to the driver, as well as the appropriate action he or the field of cars should take:

GREEN

The green flag signals the start of a race or a resumption of competition at full race speed after a caution or delay of some type. Usually, a driver’s crew chief or spotter will also let him know that green flag racing is about to resume by saying, “We’re going green on the next lap” as well. The pace car will remain in front of all cars until just before the green flag is dropped. The pace car will turn into the pit road entrance as the field of cars comes by before the green flag is waved.

YELLOW

The yellow flag is the caution flag. It indicates that there is a hazard on the track or the track is not clear for cars to maintain race speed. This flag can be used to warn the drivers of an accident on the track or that there is debris on the track due to cars making contact or mechanical failure. The flag is also waved to bring the cars under caution due to weather-related issues. Other reasons for this flag being waved include things such as a NASCAR tire check, an emergency vehicle needing to cross the track, or a stray animal wandering onto the track. NASCAR rules allow all cars bunch up behind the leader during a caution to allow them to position themselves for resumption of green flag racing. Usually, the lead cars will line up in the outside lane while the lapped cars will start in the inside lane. No cars are allowed to pass the pace car during a caution flag unless specifically instructed to do so by NASCAR officials. An example of this would be the “lucky dog.” The “lucky dog” is the name given to the driver/car that is at least one lap down but leading all other lapped cars when the caution flag comes out. This driver gets to move around the pace car and circle the track to come up behind the lead cars to regain a lost lap. He then becomes the last car on the lead lap. A standard caution usually lasts a minimum of three laps at most tracks to allow the drivers time to pit or catch the pace car before a restart. A yellow flag during a practice session indicates that all cars should go to the pits immediately.

RED

Waving of the red flag indicates that the track is unsafe and the situation requires immediate attention. All cars must go to a designated location and stop – this may be the pit area or the cars may simply be stopped on a part of the track that is away from the unsafe situation. This flag is often waved for an accident which requires immediate medical attention or if the track is blocked. It is also waved from time to time due to heavy precipitation which creates dangerous racing conditions. Additionally, it has become common for NASCAR to wave the red flag during the closing laps of a race to make sure the event ends under green lap conditions rather than under caution. Once the red flag has been cleared, the cars will always begin the race again under the yellow flag for a few laps to allow the drivers to warm up their engines and tires or visit the pits if necessary before green flag laps are resumed. It is important to note that all race activity stops during red flag conditions. This includes the pit crews as well as the drivers. While the cars must go to a designated place and stop until the red flag is cleared, the pit crews must also stop any work in progress on cars that may be in the garage or pits until the red flag is cleared.

WHITE

The white flag is only waved once during the race. This flag indicates to the drivers and crew that only one lap remains in the event. Once the white flag is waved, all drivers know that the next time they pass the flag stand they will be seeing the checkered flag indicating the completion of the race.

CHECKERED

This flag is also only displayed once during the race and indicates that the race has completed its scheduled distance of so many miles or so many laps depending on the particular event. Naturally, the driver in the lead position at the waving of the checkered flag is declared the winner of the race.

BLACK

The black flag is known as the “consultation” flag. This flag is normally waved at an individual car and indicates that NASCAR has a concern regarding that particular driver or car. When a car/driver receives the black flag they must respond by entering the pits within five laps for a “consultation” with a NASCAR official in response to the concern. Some reasons for a driver being given the black flag include breaking a NASCAR rule, a mechanical problem (such as leaking fluids on the track, parts falling off or in danger of falling off), breaking the speed limit on pit road, or failure to maintain a minimum safe speed. Once the driver has entered his pit box, he is then informed by a NASCAR official as to what action is needed to correct the concern. During a practice session, the black flag waved in conjunction with a red one indicates to the drivers that the practice session is over.

BLACK WITH WHITE X

This flag is waved at individual cars that have chosen to ignore the black flag. This indicates to the driver and crew that NASCAR has stopped scoring the car until they come into the pits for a consultation based on the black flag waved earlier. This flag, for all practical purposes, disqualifies a driver/car from the race until they obey the previous black flag and enter the pits.

BLUE WITH A YELLOW DIAGONAL STRIPE

This is known as the “courtesy” or “move over” flag. It is waved at cars that are down a lap or more and indicates that the leaders or faster cars are approaching from behind. It is essentially a request for the slower lapped cars to move over and allow the more competitive cars to pass them. Obedience to this flag is not mandatory and the slower cars can choose to ignore it and not give any room for the faster cars to pass. However, repeated ignoring of this flag without a valid reason is heavily frowned upon by NASCAR. This flag can be seen often at the shorter tracks like Bristol or Martinsville where slower cars can become a major hindrance to the race leaders.

YELLOW WITH RED VERTICAL STRIPES

This flag is normally used only on road courses by corner workers. It indicates that there is debris or slippery conditions ahead on a particular part of the track when it is held up or waved.

Almost every racing series in the United States uses this basic combination of flag designs and colors. Normally, the flags are waved by the flagman at the start-finish line to indicate to the drivers what is happening during the race. In addition, many speedways have installed lights at various points on the track as well so that drivers are aware of cautions or other conditions before they reach the start-finish line. Radio communication between the driver and his spotter or crew chief has also evolved into an important part of the process of keeping drivers informed of the track conditions.