Beyond the Flag
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IndyCar: No Need to Change Ending Under Caution

By Spencer Frady

Apr 2, 2016; Avondale, AZ, USA; Verizon IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon pits during the Phoenix Grand Prix at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Avondale, AZ, USA; Verizon IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon pits during the Phoenix Grand Prix at Phoenix International Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Recently, another Beyond The Flag writer took the Verizon IndyCar Series to task for its “lackluster” ending in its return to Phoenix International Raceway. You can read that piece here. He said that ending under caution detracted from the race and that IndyCar needs some form of a “green-white-checker” rule to make sure the fans get an exciting finish. Allow me to be the one to disagree and essentially say, “Get off my lawn!”

The Verizon IndyCar Series does not, (and nor will it ever), need any kind of NASCAR gimmick like a “green-white-checkered” rule or the new “overtime” monstrosity that Mr. France and his taxi cab drivers are trying these days. IndyCar is currently the fastest and most diverse of the major motorsports outfits operating in the U.S. In fact, the series had more different winners last year than that other open-wheel series operating across the pond. If you want good, fast races then the Verizon IndyCar Series is already delivering that regardless of how its races end.

Now, let me point out that ending under caution does not detract from a good race. All the things that made that race into what it was still happened. Let’s take the Phoenix race for example. Was the racing fast? Yes, the pole speed alone was leaps and bounds ahead of NASCAR’s speeds at the same venue. Was there passing? Yes, even though more would have been nice, the race had Ryan Hunter-Reay making amazing moves on restarts and Graham Rahal and Josef Newgarden (among others) battling through the field to get into the Top Ten. Was there drama on pit road? Yes, two Penske teams fell back because of cut tires and Josef Newgarden made a comeback after a costly mistake by the fuel man. Am I to believe that a yellow flag finish means none of that happened and the race was a dud? Give me a break.

Need proof? Check out this highlight package from IndyCar’s Phoenix race:

As a race fan, I believe I get my money’s worth when I see battles happening on the track and in the pits all race long. I believe I get my money’s worth when I see cars chasing and passing each other at seriously-fast speeds. Of course, in a perfect world race fans would get sprints to the finish and photo finishes week in and week out. But, this is the real world and it doesn’t work like that.

So, what’s wrong with a “green-white-checkered” rule or an overtime rule? I believe those rules have two fatal flaws. First, they aren’t guaranteed to deliver a green flag finish. Countless times, NASCAR went to the “GWC” and a crash still muddled the ending of the race. The overtime rule is more likely to deliver a green flag finish, but it still has to account for crashes or problems that will end the race on the next flag (aka the caution flag). The second problem with these types of rules is that they extend the races. What is the point of having the Daytona 500 or the Indianapolis 500 if they really end up being the Daytona or Indy 505? I bought a ticket with the intent of seeing which team/driver combination can make the distance the fastest. Let’s not move the goalposts just because things didn’t shake out the way we wanted.

If you can’t stomach a finish under caution, I question whether or not you appreciate what is happening in a given race. The teams and drivers are all building a strategy to go the advertised distance and get there first.

Scott Dixon earned a win at Phoenix International Raceway. But some fans are upset the race ended under caution.
Scott Dixon earned a win at Phoenix International Raceway. But some fans are upset the race ended under caution. /

The drivers make strategic moves throughout the race toward that end. Every lap is a chapter in the story that is that race. Keep the goalposts where they are and appreciate the story unfolding in front of you.

Now, if after all of my arguments you still say, “But I want to see cars race to the line every time no matter what”, then we need a compromise solution. I submit to you the formula that has worked for decades at your local race track. Don’t count yellow flags as part of the advertised distance.

The teams already plan for a variable number of caution flags. It shouldn’t be too difficult to say to the average race fan, “Hey, when the yellow flag is out the field and the current race distance is frozen”. That way, the race only counts the advertised distance and the fans get a green flag finish.

The problem with that is it eliminates the race off pit road. Exceptional pit crews won’t be able to advance their position in the field by being faster in the pits, unless of course the entire field is pitting under green.

Next: IndyCar's Best Phoenix Races

The long and short of it is this: you can’t please everyone. But, there is no reason to change an entire sport just because a few of its events end under caution. (And by the way, Scott Dixon was going to win the Phoenix race regardless of what flag was out when he passed the flag stand for the final time.)