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Helton: There's no "gentleman's agreement": The whole issue - this "gentleman's agreement" Winston Cup drivers have about passing during a caution period -- remains as clear as the northern California fog that rolls over the golden hills above Infineon Raceway. Does the "gentleman's agreement" still exist? It happened again Sunday during the Dodge/Save Mart 350. Race-winner Robby Gordon, in a move called "chicken" by Kevin Harvick and "crap" by Jeff Gordon, passed Richard Childress Racing teammate Harvick on the way back to the start-finish line after a yellow flag was waved on Lap 71. It was the third time this season that drivers used their interpretation of the agreement to further their own interests. At Dover earlier this month, Tony Stewart got bent out of shape when leader Ryan Newman - who had a lap on Stewart - would not let him back on the lead lap during a caution. In March at Texas, second-place Jeff Gordon - of all people - passed leader Matt Kenseth under yellow, although Gordon was trying to keep some lapped traffic lapped. Let's let Winston Cup Series director John Darby explain what's supposed to happen when a yellow flag flies: "Once a caution flag is displayed, the only cars technically under caution are the ones who have driven under the caution flag," Darby said. "If a big group is beyond the start-finish line and the caution flag comes out, they're still officially under green until they get back to that start-finish line. At that point, the drivers have a choice of either easing up, everybody getting in line and coming back; or in many situations racing back." At a drivers meeting Sunday before the Sonoma race, Robby Gordon said he repeatedly asked if it was OK to pass during a caution. NASCAR president Mike Helton responded to Gordon and the rest of the drivers: "There is no gentlemen's agreement, we figured that out a couple of races ago. Guys, this not a new gig, this is the same deal we've done before. I know everybody wants to be up front and you want to get every chance you can get. In the event we feel like you got one unfairly, we will react. In the meantime it's up to you guys to work it out up there. If you're going to be obnoxious about it, we'll get into the middle of it. Nine out of ten times we'll let you guys have it."(much more at ThatsRacin.com)(6-23-2003)