(Daytona Beach, Fla.) - During Thursday’s drivers meeting for the Gatorade Duel 150s, NASCAR announced the field will now get three attempts at a green-white-checkered finish. Stemming from confusion following Saturday night’s finish to the Budweiser Shootout, the sanctioning body has made the move to ensure the race has every opportunity to finish under race speed.
While rumors swirled that NASCAR was considering unlimited attempts at the finish, Thursday’s announcement set the cap at three. If the field takes the white flag and a wreck occurs at any point, the field will be frozen and the race finished under caution – same as the old rule.
“We want to do all we can to finish our races under green flag conditions – the fans want to see that and so do the competitors,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “We felt that putting a cap at three attempts to finish the race under green is the way to go. It gives the fans what they want and it also gives the teams a better opportunity to prepare for their end of race strategy.”
Four-time champion Jeff Gordon brought up concern in the meeting about fuel mileage issues with extending the race by at most nine laps. Gordon was quickly told it is up to the crew chiefs to now plan accordingly.
The feeling in the garage is this amendment to the policy will lead to more wrecked race cars and more man hours for fabricators back at the shop.
Team owner Richard Childress added his thoughts saying, “I think it’s good for the fans. It could get costly for the owners.”
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