Timer?

[Canadian GP]

I just finished watching T. Stewart climb the fence up to the flagstand and I noticed there is some sort of a timer attached to the stand. I also saw one at Lowes during the All Star race.

Forgive my ignorance but what is this thing for?

 

[buckaroo]

Every race is timed, even the llocal races. However, only when they are actually going around the track. If there is a red flag, the clock is stopped.

 

[TexasRaceLady]

This "clock" is used for scoring. Now, it is the backup for the electronic scoring system. Basically, each car has a person in the scoring stand --- when their car crossed the start/finish, the "time" is written down.