NASCAR bans racing back to caution flag

Rule changes go into effect this weekend

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Rule procedure revisions that eliminate racing back to the yellow (caution) flag and modify pit road entry for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will go into effect beginning this weekend, NASCAR officials announced Thursday.

VIDEO CLIPS The leaders pass the wrecked 88 car as they race back to the caution at NHIS last weekend Play video

The revisions will be in place for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series races at Dover International Speedway and for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event at California Speedway, all of which are being held this weekend.

"We have monitored and continually discussed internally the situation regarding racing back to the yellow throughout the season, and have reached the conclusion that it is time for us to take this step," NASCAR President Mike Helton said.

"We will eliminate the practice completely and no longer depend on the gentlemen's agreement by the drivers in an effort to further ensure the safety of the competitors."

The new rule will not permit any passing once the caution flag is displayed. Other aspects of this procedure revision as well as the pit road entry modifications will be outlined to the NASCAR Winston Cup and NASCAR Busch Series competitors at a combined meeting scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET Saturday in the garage area at Dover International Speedway.

The Craftsman Truck Series will have the revisions outlined in their scheduled driver/crew chief meeting scheduled for 10:45 a.m. PT Saturday.

NASCAR officials' decisions regarding these new procedures will not be subject to review or appeal.

"We needed to find a better way to do it rather than racing back to the yellow, and the new procedures we are putting in place are the first step in the process," Helton said. "We will monitor and evaluate the new procedures and fine-tune them if needed as we move forward."