Competition Cautions and Quick Indy Notes:

By Keith Ott  

  First, I hate it when NASCAR influences an event period, and there’s no doubt in my mind the “Competition Caution” does just that.  NASCAR artificially inserts an event that never happened due to racing and positions change.  I understand the need for safety but the format is terrible and needs to be changed.

1) They’re not mandatory so you don’t actually have to pit.  So, how much sense did it make that Gordon couldn’t refuel on lap 9 (pitted for suspension problems) because then he wouldn’t have had to come in and may have gained positions?   He didn’t have to come in anyway.

Make them mandatory.  No staying out for track position or the lead…MANDATORY

2) Good, now they’re mandatory.  Everyone is coming in for the same safety issue.  Why is there competition on pit road?  No positions should change!  NASCAR stopped normal events when they called a caution.  But, positions will change because certain teams have better pit crews.  It’s not fair to a lower funded team having a good race to be penalized positions because NASCAR changed the event.

Bring them into the pits slow (It’s for safety and why should the pit crews be put at risk), give them time to check their cars and put them on the track in the order they came in.  No other work, except fueling should be allowed on the cars.

3) If, you keep needing “Competition Cautions” for the same item, maybe it’s time to rethink the supplier!

Quick Notes:

1) Quickest wit award:  Wally for his “Now that’s a burnout” comment for the #48’s fiery exit of pit road.

2) Best commercial:   I liked the BK pit crew chicken changer.  I hear Dominos might sponsor Stewart just so they can challenge with a pit crew pizza changer.  They’ll need a big guy and a lot of pizza!

3) Worst commercial:  Ok Allstate we get it and it's getting old.  Older women who can’t drive like Kasey Kahne.

4) Lastly, How about them RCR guys.  They’re getting my vote for turnaround team of the year.