Drivers full of questions in pre-race meeting

DOVER, Del. -- Winston Cup drivers asked several questions in a longer-than-usual drivers/crew chiefs meeting before the MBNA America 400 at Dover International Speedway.

	David Hoots

And several competitors even stayed after the meeting to question NASCAR officials about the new yellow-flag procedures.

Managing event director David Hoots went over the new procedures for several minutes, reiterating that when the caution comes out, "racing ceases." He also covered the new pit road rules that prohibit passing to the left, clarifying that a trailing car's front bumper can't "break the plane" of the front car's rear bumper.

Many of Sunday's questions centered on what happens when the white flag comes out. Drivers wanted to know if they should race to the checkered flag if a yellow comes out on the last lap.

The repeated answer: No.

"From Lap one to the end of the race when the checkered is displayed, when the yellow comes out, racing ceases," Hoots said. "That's a big change about it. But this procedure carries through the entire race."

Hoots said NASCAR would "make every effort" to sort positions out when the yellow is displayed "because it affects the finish of the race." He said NASCAR would look at any available video to determine any challenged positions, and if needed would do so after the race ended.

"You don't race this competitor," Hoots said. "You stop racing."

Hoots also said that any driver who drives through three or more pit stalls will be penalized a pass-through if under green or sent to the end of the longest line under caution.

Hoots announced a new rule that outlaws certain poles to be used on pit stops. Hoots said that start next weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, the only poles that will be allowed are an overhead camera, a sign board and a brush to clean the windshield and service the driver (teams have adapted some poles to do both).

The new rule bans poles that had hooks on the end that were designed to catch changed tires on pit stops.