The ongoing dispute regarding NASCAR’s policy of deploying the caution flag on the final lap of the race continues to cause a stir in the industry. Opinions flood in from all corners, including current and former racers, as well as industry insiders, with the majority favoring the safety of participants over the thrill of the race. However, Larry McReynolds, a former NASCAR crew chief, has voiced a controversial opinion that has ruffled feathers.
Currently a racing analyst for FOX Sports and also a columnist for Foxsports.com, McReynolds shared his thoughts on SiriusXM’s On Track podcast. He proposed that regardless of any incidents, races should only conclude under a checkered flag. His radical solution essentially suggests continuing the race until a victor emerges. “The only flag that can end the race is a checkered flag waving,” he stated. His proposal, designed to keep the excitement of racing alive, has however stirred up a hornet’s nest among drivers who put their lives on the line every time they buckle up. This response was evident when seasoned champions, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch, openly disagreed with his view.
McReynolds’ contentious proposal to conclude races solely under the checkered flag, allowing unlimited overtimes until a winner is declared, has been met with strong opposition from NASCAR’s elite drivers. Both Kyle Busch and Joey Logano underscored the critical importance of safety over showmanship. They left no room for doubt regarding their stance.
Joey Logano contested McReynolds’ proposal on the Beating and Banging podcast. He pointed out, “It’s easy to say when you’re not sitting in the race car.” Logano stressed that safety must always be the topmost priority in motorsports. He further insisted that drivers should be trained to navigate crashes responsibly, rather than recklessly barrelling through wrecks to secure an exhilarating finish.
Kyle Busch took a more direct approach, outrightly rejecting McReynolds’ viewpoint. He stated, “Well, he’s not a driver, and he’s never been in a race car and been T-boned or hit a wall at 180 mph. So, he has no say… Racing to the checkered flag would be pure entertainment and not safety to I disagree with that.” As a driver who has personally experienced high-speed crashes, Busch firmly stated that the voices of drivers should carry more weight in such discussions.
The debate was further fueled by the Ambetter Health 400, which witnessed eight crashes, prematurely ending the race for many drivers and, crucially, compromising their safety. The last-lap crash was triggered when Chase Briscoe hit the wall, leading to a multi-car pile-up, and consequently, the waving of the caution flag.
It’s important to remember that Briscoe was amongst the top/midfield drivers, which inherently put those behind him in a precarious situation as they were pushing for the finish line. With cars clustered together at high speeds, any attempt to continue racing amidst the wreckage could have escalated the danger. This is precisely why Kyle Busch and Joey Logano stood firm against McReynolds’ proposal.
While some fans may side with McReynolds, believing that green-flag finishes yield more excitement, the risk factor is undeniably high. NASCAR has made significant safety advancements in recent years. Drivers like Busch and Logano argue that to compromise these safety measures for a more thrilling finish would be a regressive move.
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