Search
Close this search box.

Partner

NASCAR’s O’Donnell Explains Caution Finish at Talladega

share it
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit

Following the GEICO 500 at Talladega, some fans have called the caution that ended the race on the final lap controversial. A wild melee took place, but it happened on the backstretch nearly a mile and a half away from where the finish of the race was to happen. However, on Monday, NASCAR’s Steve O’Donnell took to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and explained that the caution was not for the accident on the backstretch that included Kyle Larson flipping numerous times.

“Our desire for the fans is to always, always finish under green,” O’Donnell said. “You want to let the race play out as much as we can, and that starts almost with (Erik Jones’) 20 car (spinning) going into (Turns) 3 and 4. Do you throw that caution or do you hold off and see if that car is able to roll off? Certainly, if he was stalled out on the apron, that caution comes out, but we saw that he was able to drive off. So, that’s kind of our philosophy in the closing laps.

“When it comes to the 17 hitting the wall and going down to the apron, then what we’re looking at is does he have the ability to fire the car back up and drive off or not and is there anything on the track? We’re going 200 miles per hour, so to quickly look at that takes a few seconds. By the time that happens, cars are out in 1 and 2 … his car doesn’t roll off so we throw the caution. That caution flag was almost the exact time when the (Larson) incident started unfolding on the backstretch as well. Even if there was no incident on the backstretch, that caution would have come out.”

Turns out the caution was actually for a chunk of debris on the frontstretch near the start finish line that came from Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s crash at the beginning of the final lap of the race.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Post

Josh Williams to pilot No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet in four NASCAR Xfinity events beginning at Daytona
Josh Williams Joins Alpha Prime Racing for Four-Race Xfinity Stint Beginning at Daytona
Niece Motorsports announces new ownership group at Richmond Raceway
Niece Motorsports Announces New Majority Ownership Group
Chris Rice says Kaulig Racing is nearing an extension with Ty Dillon for 2026 and that the team is exploring expansion into the NASCAR Truck Series with Ram Trucks
Chris Rice: Kaulig Racing Nearing Ty Dillon Return in 2026; Addresses Ram Truck Rumors
Reports suggest Dover Motor Speedway could host the NASCAR All-Star Race in 2026, and Iowa Speedway's date could be in jeopardy
REPORTS: Dover to Serve as All-Star Venue? Iowa in Jeopardy?
Stewart Friesen will not pursue medical waiver to remain eligible for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Playoffs
Injured Stewart Friesen Will Not Pursue NASCAR Truck Series Playoff Waiver
Jack Wood will sit out Friday's NASCAR Truck Series race at Richmond after suffering an injury at Watkins Glen, No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team withdraws from event
Jack Wood Out For Richmond Truck Race; No. 91 MHR Team Withdraws

Join Our Newsletter

Ready to have NASCAR news hand-delivered to your email daily?

Related Article