NASCAR executive Steve O’Donnell told “The Morning Drive” on Monday that series officials are “leaning” toward limiting the number of attempts at a green-white-checkered finish this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, but no decision has been made. O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that “we’re in the final discussions with some folks in the industry, but I think that is where we’re leaning. Expect to hear something probably by Wednesday of this week of where we go with it.” NASCAR permits three attempts at finishing a race under green-flag conditions. Series officials are looking at changing how Sunday’s restrictor-plate race could finish after Austin Dillon’s car flew into the catch fence at the end of the first green-white-checkered in July at Daytona International Speedway. Five fans were injured. Another topic NASCAR has discussed is if to make the restart during a green-white-checkered at Talladega single-file instead of double-file.(NBC Sports)(10-20-2015)
UPDATE: NASCAR competition officials made changes Tuesday to race procedures for this weekend’s events at Talladega Superspeedway, reducing the number of attempts at a green-white-checkered overtime finish. Starting this weekend, drivers will be limited to one attempt instead of the customary three tries at a green-white-checkered finish at Talladega. “Following extensive dialogue with the industry, we have decided to make a procedural change at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. “In the event the race goes beyond the advertised distance due to a caution, we will use a single attempt at a green-white-checker finish. We take very seriously the responsibility of balancing exciting finishes and safety. We’re confident that this is a positive direction for both.” NASCAR instituted the “green-white-checkered” rule in 2004 for NASCAR’s premier series, with a limit of three tries to complete the race under a two-lap, green-flag shootout to the finish. Since 2012, four of the last seven Talladega races have gone into overtime, raising the odds for race-punctuating multicar crashes.(NASCAR)(10-20-2015)
