NASCAR Flags & Definitions

NASCAR stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It is the United States' biggest sanctioning body of stock-car racing. NASCAR has the largest television viewing audience and holds the majority of the most popular and most attended events in all sports and entertainment categories. It began in 1948, with William France Sr. and many other drivers. NASCAR has a number of special flags it uses during a race to communicate with the drivers.

  1. Location of Flags

    • All of the NASCAR flags will be seen at the start/finish line of the racetrack. There will be a flag stand erected above the track over the line. The heights of the flag stands and the stability of each differ among the various tracks used during a racing season. The person who waves the flags during the NASCAR races is known as a flagman.

    Green Flag

    • NASCAR uses the green flag to signify to the driver that the track is clear. The drivers are permitted to continue at speed. The green flag is waved at the start of the racing event. It is also used to signify any restarts that occur during the race. During some NASCAR races, there will be an honorary flagman at the beginning of the race who waves this flag.

    Yellow Flag

    • The NASCAR yellow flag lets the drivers know that the track is not clear. They must slow down, not change position on the track and they must stay in back of the pace car. The yellow flag is used for crashes, vehicle failure, track debris or weather conditions. This flag is also used at practice sessions to inform the drivers to return to the pits.

    Red Flag

    • The red flag in NASCAR signifies the track is not safe. This means something occurred that needs attention right away. All cars must go to a specified spot and stop. It is used for crashes that call for urgent medical attention, for bad weather or a blocked track. NASCAR can also use the red flag to end a race under green conditions in the final laps of it.

    White, Checkered and Black Flags

    • The white flag signifies there is one lap left for the scheduled race. The checkered flag is waved in NASCAR to show the ending of the scheduled race. It is often given to the winning driver of the race. The black flag informs a driver to go directly to the pits for conference. It is used when there is a rule violation or mechanical situation.

    Other NASCAR Flags

    • NASCAR uses a black with a white cross flag to inform a driver that they are not being scored any more. It is used after a black flag is waved and the driver declines to accept it. A blue with a yellow diagonal stripe flag is used to inform the driver that a quicker car is coming up behind them.