Some stuff on the Lucky Dog, from Jayski's:
Lucky Dog Pass 2007 Update: the Lucky Dog rule won't change this year. One limit that's been implemented involves drivers who have been penalized. If a lead-lap car is involved in an accident with another driver, and NASCAR makes a discretionary call that it's rough driving, they will hold that driver for a one-lap penalty. For the remainder of the race, the driver can't make up that lap by virtue of the free pass. The driver would have to make up that lap by driving by the leader on the race track under green. If the driver goes another lap down, they can make up that lap with the Lucky Dog.(FoxSports)(2-2-2007)
Lucky Dog Update: when asked about the Lucky Dog/Free pass being used at Infineon Raceway this past weekend, Larry McReynolds answers: "NASCAR installed the free pass back this year. It was not something that they did just before this race. They made that decision over the winter with the four road course races, two in Busch and two in Cup. But you're right. Last year, they did not have the free pass on road courses."(FoxSports)(6-29-2005)
CHANGES? to my surprise....the Lucky Dog / Lap Back rule was used at the road course at Infineon Raceway. In 2004, the rule was NOT used at the road course, however, I guess that changed and was not announced [for some reason]. No where did I see this mentioned before hand that is was changing, even Fox said there would be none, then started reporting it. Was told by some of the TV/Radio broadcasters, they were not told, it just 'happened'. I have the 'official' list and it is now posted.(6-27-2005)
No More Lucky Dog? NASCAR is contemplating dropping the so-called "lucky dog" rule implemented last season after racing back to the start-finish line under caution was outlawed. The rule allows the first driver a lap down when a caution comes out to get back onto the lead lap. NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said the rule has created confusion among fans and, at times, the competitors.(USA Today)(11-16-2004)
Yellow Rule Change: NASCAR made another slight adjustment to procedures under caution, announcing during Sunday's prerace drivers meeting that pit road would remain closed the first time by under each caution. The rule will take effect immediately and for all three of NASCAR's top series - Nextel Cup, Busch and Trucks.
"We're going to leave pit road closed and it's purely to make the environment safer and at the same time keep it fair competitive-wise," NASCAR President Mike Helton said. Helton said the move would help prevent the drivers from feeling the need to speed and catch up with the car in front of them, so as not to lose a competitive advantage when heading to pit road.
"If it means we have to leave it closed two laps, like at Darlington and Bristol, then we'll do that," he said. "So, if we bust you because we think you're going to fast (under caution), then you can't point back at us."
NASCAR also gave the drivers another warning regarding inappropriate language, citing a recent radio station's fine for airing profanity on a talk show. "If those things happen in our sport, we will not pay the fine. We'll pay it, but then we will come collect it," he said.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-14-2004)
'Lucky Dog' rule....explained NASCAR President Mike Helton on Sunday issued a stern warning to drivers not to race back to the caution and clarified the sanctioning body's position on allowing a lap back to the first car not on the lead lap. "I'm warning you drivers, crew chiefs, owners, spotters and whoever else has a role in this, if we are under the impression that you are racing back or still hauling it when the yellow comes out, then we're going to put you on pit road," Helton said at Sunday's pre-race drivers meeting. "When the yellow comes out, you don't race back. You don't have to worry about looking in your mirror and wondering if a guy is going to come around you. If they do, we're going to get them. If we get them, they'll end up on pit road and be black-flagged and I don't know yet how long they'll stay there." Last season NASCAR eliminated the practice of allowing cars to race back to the caution flag, enacting a rule freezing the field when a caution is displayed. Helton also announced a clarification for circumstances that unfolded in Saturday's Busch race, when NASCAR decided to put the car receiving a lap back under caution to the tail end of the lead lap, rather than the tail end of the longest line, which it had done previously. Helton said after a review that officials decided they will place that car at the tail end of the longest line, regardless of the circumstances of the caution. "Yesterday we had a couple of cases of cautions coming out during green-flag stops. A lot of it has to do with circumstances," Helton said. "There is a car that will get a free pass and move on. That car is determined when the caution comes out. What happens after that doesn't make any difference. We did that a couple different ways yesterday and I apologize profusely." Helton admitted there may be times when putting the car receiving its lap back at the tail end of the longest line may appear to allow that driver to gain positions on the track. Those instances, he said, are the result of cars pitting, not from the mere instance of putting the affected car on the tail end of the longest line.(ThatsRacin.com)(3-7-2004)
) or they were trying to keep Hamlin a lap down.
