After being delayed by a day, the Daytona 500 was on track to be another strong race in the event’s history. Then the Daytona 500 finish happened. Shortly after the “big one” occurred on Lap 193, a 4-lap shootout to determine the Great American Race’s winner was set up. Ross Chastain would attempt to fend off 3 Hendrick cars, including William Byron and Alex Bowman. As they entered the tri-oval with the white flag about to wave, contact between Chastain and Austin Cindric sent them spinning into the grass. From there, confusion and controversy was abound. Did William Byron take the white flag? Why did NASCAR wait to throw the yellow? Should NASCAR have thrown a yellow? Once the yellow was out, did Bowman not lead Byron already?
NASCAR is not a stranger to controversial endings, even in their biggest race. However, the finish to the Daytona 500 has left a sour taste in numerous fans’ mouths. It is understandable. After a thoroughly exciting race, the ending was a bit of a wet fart. That is not to say that every Daytona 500 needs to finish under green. However, the circumstances surrounding this ending are exceptionally questionable. There are three controversies that are stemming from this Daytona 500 finish. First off, was a yellow necessary? To piggyback off that, if a yellow was necessary, why did it take NASCAR so long to throw the yellow? Finally, how did Alex Bowman not win?
A Worthy Caution?
When looking at the above image, obviously NASCAR had to throw the caution flag. While Ross Chastain remained below the racing and surface, Austin Cindric’s car shot back up the track and collected David Ragan in the wreck. Last lap or not, a car careening back into the pack is a cause for a caution. Plus, the debris left behind by the two cars colliding would put the safety of the lead pack into question.
NASCAR definitely should have thrown the caution. There should be little argument against this. Sure, fans can want the race to play out under green but there was plenty of cause for the caution. Out of the three controversies, this is the easiest to tamp down.
Who Beat Who?
At the track (sitting at the exit of Turn 4), it seemed pretty clear that William Byron was the winner once it was established the caution came after the white flag. However, TV viewers (and other race attendees) are questioning the result. Between the confused FOX broadcast and the on-board camera of Alex Bowman, it appeared clear that Bowman had passed Byron by the time the lights flashed. On social media, there was a buzz about how Bowman was screwed over for Byron.
According to NASCAR, the above aerial image is what they used to determine the winner. As you can see in the photo, the yellow lights are on in the flag stand. Meanwhile, Byron is clearly a nose in front of Bowman. Based on this photo evidence, it seems pretty clear. However, nothing is ever that simple with NASCAR.
Freeze the Field or Last Scoring Loop
A constant theme throughout Daytona Speedweeks was the inconsistency of how certain elements of determining things worked. For the Bluegreen Vacations Duel races, track PAs and MRN radio constantly chattered about how the two open cars not in on qualifying speed simply had to race each other. Whoever won between Jimmie Johnson and JJ Yeley in Duel 1 and Kaz Grala and BJ McLeod in Duel 2 would make the race. However, that is not how it actually worked. Both Yeley and Grala would have had to beat both other open cars to qualify while Johnson and McLeod only had to beat Yeley/Grala.
That type of miscommunication between NASCAR and their media only fuels confusion. During the postrace rundown, the track PA discussed how NASCAR determined the winner. According to the PA, NASCAR went to the previous scoring loop after the yellow lights flashed. That meant it did not matter if Bowman was ahead of Byron once the lights flashed, Byron led Bowman at the last scoring loop. However, NASCAR used the above photo as a freezing of the field to determine Byron the winner. Those are two different methodologies. How can fans understand the process if they hear two different methods?
To add further confusion, Bowman’s on-board camera shows the moment a safety light flashes yellow. That light apparently flashed on after the flag stand did. Which one is the correct one then? Surely it is the flag stand, but why are all the lights not in sync? While there is evidence to support the Byron win, NASCAR has factors that does not help quell the confusion.
What Took So Long?
So if there was merit for the caution, why did it take NASCAR so long to throw the yellow? Yes, “so long” is a matter of a second or two. However, NASCAR is known for the trigger finger with the yellow flag late in races. In the image above, both Ross Chastain and Austin Cindric are starting to spin in the GEICO Restart Zone. That is the beginning of the tri-oval. Two cars are sideways in front of the lead draft coming to the white flag.
Now, Ross Chastain slid into the grass and avoided more contact. The Cindric car reengaging with the field was discussed earlier. While this is a still photo of Cup Series cars traveling over 190 MPH, it does give credence to fans who said NASCAR stalled throwing the yellow. Technically that is true. NASCAR even admitted to it, believing that if Chastain and Cindric avoided the racing surface, then the race could remain green for the final 2.5 miles.
That makes sense, right? NASCAR did not want to throw an unnecessary yellow if the two spinning cars were not going to endanger anyone else. Honestly, it is commendable that NASCAR avoided a trigger finger to let things play out instead of having a green-white-checkered finish for “excitement”. Is that not something NASCAR should be applauded for?
Inconsistency Bites NASCAR Again
The answer to the previous question is a resounding no. Why? Well, it is not because they were wrong to do what they do. Technically, their logic is sound and they were a bit unlucky that Cindric came back onto the track. Now, the tri-oval grass was soaked and Carson Hocevar earlier got stuck in it. Could it have been expected that Chastain and Cindric would sit there and caution would have to be thrown anyway? Absolutely, but the yellow still could have been delayed through the back stretch. However, that is not the issue here. The issue is NASCAR (once again) being inconsistent on how they rule a race.
For those who defend NASCAR saying they made the right choice, you can be right and wrong at the same time. NASCAR might have been right to attempt to let it play out, but where was that restraint in last year’s Daytona 500? With the field approaching 2 to go, Daniel Suarez went for a spin on the apron before pit road. It was a single car incident and Suarez spun off where no other cars were. Yet, the caution dropped as soon as Suarez got sideways off Jimmie Johnson’s bumper. Suarez did not end up hitting the inside wall nor return to the racing surface. However, NASCAR did not let it play out. Instead, they immediately hammered the caution button for a green-white-checkered. So why was there a pause this year? A pause mind-you, that would guarantee the race end under yellow.
NASCAR’s inconsistencies kill their credibility. A less dangerous incident the year prior in the same race got an immediate caution (with 2 to go) when a two car incident is allowed to play out coming to the white. It is beyond ridiculous to not question where NASCAR’s trigger happy self went during this moment. Which that leads to questioning of legitimacy.
Daytona 500 Finish Legitimacy
After the Kansas City Chiefs (and their new fan Taylor Swift) won the Super Bowl, many NFL fans were claiming the game was rigged. This includes a certain 49ers fan at Pit Pass Network. In the age of social media, the accusation of rigging sports is abound. Conspiracy theories and selective memories flow with how these major sport entities rig their games/seasons for entertainment benefit. Usually, it is garbage talk. However, Monday’s Daytona 500 finish makes a compelling case.
On the 40th Anniversary of Hendrick Motorsports first start, William Byron breaks a 10-year Daytona 500 drought for the team. Plus, Hendrick Motorsports is now tied with Petty for most Daytona 500 wins. What an unbelievable piece of history fans got to witness on Monday night. NASCAR’s biggest, most successful, and influential team has two cars side by side when the yellow flag comes out, after the white flag is dropped. In a series known for their overreliance on triggering late yellows for “entertainment” (remember the All-Star Race in 2022), this time NASCAR demonstrates restraint and lets it play out. Something does not seem to add up.
Now, throwing the yellow is a split second decision. Surely, there was not a NASCAR executive screaming at the operator to wait when Chastian and Cindric are spinning out. However, is it not possible a conversation occurred during the red flag? There were 3 Hendrick cars in the Top-5 and last lap Daytona crashes are common. Maybe something was said. Do you believe NASCAR would have hesitated if Austin Cindric was in the lead?
While this is mostly pot stirring with little belief that NASCAR actually rigged the finish, how out of the ordinary this action (or lack of) was for NASCAR is noticeable. It is a shame that a great Daytona 500 will be marred by this lackluster finish though.
