page_title: Criticism of NASCAR
section_title: Manipulating the outcome of races and championships
hierarchical_section_title: Criticism of NASCAR / Manipulating the outcome of races and championships
caption_attribution_description: Looking at the flagman displaing the checkered flag at the Calumet County Racing Association stockcar races at the en:Calumet County, Wisconsin fairgrounds in Chilton, Wisconsin, USA. Note the complete set of racing flags (at least for American stockcar racing). The yellow flag is barely visible.
context_page_description: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is the sanctioning body for the NASCAR Cup Series, the Xfinity Series and the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. NASCAR also administers a number of regional racing series, including the Whelen Modified Tour, and the Whelen All-American Series, as well as international series in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.
  Similar to other professional motor racing leagues and sanctioning bodies, NASCAR has been a target of criticism on a variety of issues. Some critics note the significant differences between present day NASCAR vehicles and true "stock cars". Another topic of debate has been NASCAR's move to larger markets; in 1997, NASCAR added the California and Texas Motor Speedway, respectively located in the metro areas of Los Angeles and Dallas. This caused NASCAR to move away from traditional tracks such as Rockingham, which has led to some fans feeling that NASCAR abandoned its core market.
  Others cite the dominance of the France family in NASCAR's business structure, policies, and decision making. Recently, the increased number of Cup drivers competing consistently in the Xfinity Series races has been hotly debated.
context_section_description: NASCAR uses caution flags, triggered by race administrators, in which drivers are limited to certain maneuvers. The general purpose of this event is to reduce risk when track conditions deteriorate (for instance, if there is debris on the track, one or more cars crash and emergency vehicles and tow trucks need to be on track, or a car spins and is given the opportunity to catch up with the field).  Generally, when a caution occurs, race cars must tightly pack before a restart.
  The number of cautions per race in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series increased from 7.4 in 2001 to 9.6 in 2007 (an increase of almost 30%), while the number of actual crashes per race has only increased from 5.6 to 6.7 (an increase of about 20%).  This is likely due to increased caution periods for cleaning debris from the track.  In 2015, the number of cautions per race averaged at 8.2, showing a gradual decline since then. Fans and competitors alike speculate whether some of these cautions are used to keep the cars tightly packed in an effort to keep a race close.  An unnecessary caution at a specific time could affect a driver's strategy and the outcome of the race, while providing a potential opportunity for other drivers to close the gap and prevent a runaway victory.
  In April 2007, then two-time champion Tony Stewart, on his radio show hosted via Sirius Satellite Radio, said: "It's like playing God. They can almost dictate the race instead of the drivers doing it… I don't know that they've run a fair race all year."  Stewart also made a comparison to the WWE, which is scripted. NASCAR itself was not flattered by these comments, and stated that Stewart's comments were "very, very disappointing" but did not punish Tony Stewart, as there were no rules against criticizing the officiating of a race.
  In an unrelated interview, driver Matt Kenseth said, "There's for sure entertainment cautions, there's no doubt about that, but we're in the entertainment business and you're going to get some of that and group the field every once in a while."  Driver and commentator, Kyle Petty, said, "We're in the entertainment business, if they want to throw a caution every 40 laps to keep everybody bunched up, so the fans have a better experience, more cautions, the better."
  In September 2013, NASCAR came under fire after the 2013 Federated Auto Parts 400 when it was suggested that the race was manipulated by Clint Bowyer (having already clinched a playoff berth), who was accused of intentionally spinning out in order to slow down the race which had 7 laps to go. By this time, Ryan Newman was in the lead, and holding on to victory would have likely secured a playoff spot. However, a slow pit stop caused Newman to lose momentum, and Carl Edwards went on to win instead. This allowed for Bowyer's teammate Martin Truex Jr. to clinch a spot over Newman. Later that week, NASCAR made its decision to penalize Truex Jr. for the incident, which meant that Newman would take his place. In an odd decision, NASCAR also decided to expand the playoff field to 13 instead of the established 12, giving Jeff Gordon (one of NASCAR's most popular drivers) a spot, with NASCAR stating that Gordon has also been unfairly aggrieved by Bowyer and Truex Jr.'s actions. Simultaneously, Joey Logano was accused of receiving illicit help from Front Row Motorsports in order to secure a playoff spot, and both Penske Racing and Front Row Motorsports were placed on probation for the rest of the year as a result, but Logano was allowed to participate in the playoffs that year.
caption: The flagman displaying the checkered flag with a complete set of stock car racing flags
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