How can Dale Earnhardt Jr. pass the pace car under caution and not get black flagged?

Question

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought you could not pass the pace car under caution. He was coasting to save gas, but he still passed the pace car on the first lap of the caution.

Answer 1

He is not the first driver to do that. NASCAR always gives a warning before black flagging. It is very common.

Answer 2

No Harm - No Foul ...... In listening to Nascar Channel on Sirius after the race...John Darby - What's the rule on passing the pace car? stated the "pass the pace car rule" is in place for a reason.... to prevent a drivers intent to gain a lap. Went on to state it was obvious Jr was in a fuel conservation mode and there was no intent to gain. you can listen at http://www.sirius.com/nascar ... scroll down to bottom of page "Heard it on Sirius"

Answer 3

At Kansas last year, Biffle ran out of gas during the last lap (which was under caution) and couldn't maintain the pace speed as the cars came finish line.  Both Clint Bowyer and Jimmie Johnson passed him before the cars crossed the finish line.  The reason they were under a caution for a finish was because NASCAR didn't go with a green-white-checkered finish because it was getting too dark.  They decided that the field was frozen at the caution so they gave the win to Biffle even though he didn't cross the finish line first.  Barely anyone cried about cheating or it being rigged in favor of Biffle or Roush.

Kyle Busch makes a pass below the yellow line for position at Talladega this year to take the lead and go on to the win.  Not many people whined about it or said that it is rigged towards Gibbs.  

Junior pases the pace car at MIS during a caution (not even close to 10 car lengths like Kenseth said) yet maintains pace speed, starts behind the pace car when the green drops and makes it all the way to the checkered flag without assitance - and now everyone cries, claims it's rigged and says he gets special treatment because he's an Earnhardt.

You're all a bunch of whiny hypocrites.

Answer 4

Because its Jooonnnyeerrr. Shesh, you should know that the "chosen one" can do no wrong :P

Answer 5

He was coasting around the track and shut the engine off so at that point he could not control the car.  Once he slowed more he stayed behind the pace car.  He did not  intentionally pass the pace car so he was not black flagged.

Answer 6

Please correct me if I'M wrong - He just did!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry, I could not resist)  But seriously, anyone would have received the same warning prior to being black flagged.  Come on people!!!!  The pit car had the mid to high line on the track and Jr was down on the apron for fuel pick-up reasons.  Jr's line naturally had the shorter route so even if he matched the pit car's speed, he would still cover less distance faster and he did heed their warning.  He did well and I am so proud!!!!!!!!  Good work guys, we finally got one!!!!!!

Answer 7

Are you forgetting his last name?

Answer 8

Is this the BEST you Haters have?

L........O............L!

Answer 9

He should have been Black Flagged.  Hey, That's NSACAR for ya.

Answer 10

2 questions:

1. How many times was he warned?

2. If there was no advantage to passing the pace car, why did he do it?

Answer 11

because he was saving fuel and his car was off

Answer 12

Yeah, like NASCAR never gives a warning first. In almost every situation (unless purposely wrecking someone) NASCAR gives warning before black flagging. He got his warning, and if he would have done it again, he would have gotten black flagged. You will have to try harder to come up with another reason to take his win away.

Answer 13

now you gotta remember who we're talking about here...

Answer 14

He passed it a few times

Answer 15

I was thinking the same thing. I was surprised when he was just told to stay behind the pace car, and that was all.

Answer 16

All the money Hendrick pays to Nascar.