NASCAR’s inconsistent decision-making was on full display in Atlanta this weekend. On Saturday, a big crash occurred on the final lap of the Xfinity Series event and the officials did not throw a caution, allowing the drivers to race to the finish line. On Sunday, when a similar crash occurred in the final lap of the Cup Series race, they threw a caution, which had a big say on the result.
Advertisement
Let us also go back to the finish of the 2025 Daytona 500. The Great American Race ended in green despite a crash at the backstretch on the final lap. The procedure followed in similar circumstances in previous races including at the Daytona was not adhered to in Atlanta.
Christopher Bell was crowned the winner of the Ambetter Health 400 as he was leading on Sunday when the caution was thrown. Some drivers, as well as many fans, have called out this inconsistency from NASCAR.
“Am I the only one confused on why they threw the caution today but not yesterday?” Part-time Xfinity Series driver Josh Bilicki wrote on X. Meanwhile, one person started a thread holding NASCAR responsible for its waning popularity. “They just pissed off their entire fanbase and erased a finish that would’ve been everywhere tomorrow,” wrote the fan.
That thread had many responses. One fan wrote: “Yeah they gotta figure this out. Can’t have a race like this finish like that. Have never understood why it’s a thing.” Another added, “Whoever makes these inconsistent decisions in the @NASCAR booth needs to be fired.” There was even a sarcastic suggestion that the person responsible must be catapulted into the sun.
One fan, meanwhile, remembered the Daytona finish, “Wasn’t there a last-lap crash last week at Daytona and they let them race back to the line? There’s so much inconsistency with NASCAR.”
All said and done, Bell and the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing team were the big gainers from the inconsistent decision-making. Naturally, they did not have a problem with the race officials.
Bell’s crew chief defends NASCAR and its officials
After the race, NASCAR’s decision in the final lap was one of the first questions posed to the #20 team’s crew chief, Adam Stevens.
“I don’t have control of that button. I think they do the best job they possibly can. It’s not easy, and they’re trying to give the fans a checkered flag finish, but they don’t want to put anybody in danger either,” responded Stevens.
Final lap cautions are indeed tricky to make. The officials have to quickly decide if allowing the drivers to race to the finish line would end up dangerous for them. If they deem it so, they need to call off the race the moment the yellow flag is waved.
They have split seconds to make these calls and Stevens highlighted that. “It’s a lot of decision-making to make in a split second. So they do the best they can,” he justified.
This, however, gives the officials the power to make a judgment call, which can alter race results. That’s exactly what happened this weekend.
Bell led only one lap in the race and did not run in the top 10 until the final 30 laps. Stevens and he made good racing decisions to put themselves on the Victory Lane. That’s all that matters at the end of the day.
