Highlight of the drivers' meeting came at the end, when Kevin Harvick asked a question about the red light at the end of pit road, which has replaced the "paddle man," a NASCAR official who for time immemorial had used a "ping-pong paddle" painted red and green on opposite sides to control traffic exiting pit road.
Race director David Hoots told him drivers could go a bit past the light to ease congestion on pit road, and then to proceed ahead when the light changed.
Leave it to Michael Waltrip to ask, "How do we know when to go if we're past the light?" Hoots said, "We're counting on your spotters to give you a hand."
Michael's comeback took the cake, when he addressed Hoots' previous dictate: "Don't speed on pit road to avoid losing a lap to the leader." Michael asked, "Can you kinda speed to avoid going a lap down?"
Hoots said, "No you can't; let's be thankful for Father's Day; Tim, lead us in prayer."
-- Dave Rodman
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