NASCAR’s inconsistent decision-making was on full display in Atlanta this weekend. On Saturday, a large crash occurred on the final lap of the Xfinity Series event. The promotion did not throw a caution and allowed 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 and manipulated the result.
Advertisement
This takes us back to the finish of the 2025 Daytona 500. ‘The Great American Race’ ended in green despite a crash occurring at the backstretch on the final lap.
Regardless of the procedures followed before, Christopher Bell was crowned the winner as he was the leader this Sunday at Atlanta when the caution was thrown. All this led many fans to criticize NASCAR on social media.
Part-time Xfinity Series driver Josh Bilicki wrote on X, “Am I the only one confused on why they threw the caution today but not yesterday?” Another fan started a thread by mentioning that NASCAR will never be as popular as it once was courtesy of itself. They added, “They just pissed off their entire fanbase and erased a finish that would’ve been everywhere tomorrow.”
One fan wrote back in response, “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, “Whomever makes these inconsistent decisions in the @NASCAR booth needs to be fired.” There was also a funny counter-suggestion that the concerned person needs to be catapulted into the sun.
One fan 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 NA$CAR.” All said and done, Bell and the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing team were the big winners. Naturally, they did not have a problem with the race officials.
Bell’s crew chief defends NASCAR and its officials
When asked what he thought about NASCAR’s questionable decision-making skills, Adam Stevens said, “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.”
Final lap cautions do present a tricky scenario in the sport. The officials decide if allowing the drivers to race to the finish line would end up dangerous. If they deem it so, they need to call the race the moment the yellow flag is waved.
They have split seconds to make these calls and Stevens highlighted that. This gives the officials the power to make a judgment call, which can alter race results, as it did this weekend.
He added, “It’s a lot of decision-making to make in a split second. So they do the best they can.” Bell led only one lap in the race and did not run in the top 10 until the final 30 laps of the day. Stevens and he made good racing decisions to put themselves in Victory Lane. That’s all that matters at the end of the day.
