1974 NASCAR International Stock Car Racing Rule Book Section 12 -- Flag Rules

Any driver who does not obey the flag rules will be subject to disqualification and fine. Where light signals are also used, definite understanding concerning these signals in relation to the flags shall be made before the race.

GREEN FLAG -- Start of race.

BLUE FLAG WITH YELLOW STRIPE OR MARKER -- For passing.

YELLOW FLAG -- Caution, go slow, single file, hold position -- NO PASSING.

RED FLAG -- Danger, race stops immediately.

BLACK FLAG -- Pull off track for consultation.

WHITE FLAG -- One lap to go.

CHECKERED FLAG -- End of race.

GREEN FLAG

1. When the green flag is given by the starter, cars must retain position until they have crossed the starting line. The NASCAR official in charge of the event may make special ruling on restarts. On restarts, the race will resume immediately when the green flag is displayed.

2. In all races, each car must remain in assigned starting position until the starting line has been crossed, and the No. 2 qualifier must not beat the No. 1 qualifier to the green flag.

PASSING FLAG (Blue with diagonal yellow stripe)

1. The blue flag with a diagonal yellow stripe signifies that faster traffic is overtaking cars being signaled and that cars being given this flag should be prepared to yield to overtaking traffic.

YELLOW FLAG

1. The yellow flag signifies caution and this flag will be given to the first car passing the start immediately following the occurrence of the cause for caution. After the yellow flag is displayed at the start and finish line, cars must hold position until either the green flag is again displayed, or the red flag which would automatically stop the race except when the yellow flag is displayed during the white flag lap, in which event, all cars will be scored on the basis of the position in which they cross the start-finish line after receiving the checkered flag.

2. Cars must slow down to a cautious pace on all yellow flags.

3. In the event a caution car is used, no car unless directed to do so by an official in the caution car, may pass the caution car, and any cars illegally passing the caution car shall be black-flagged. The starter will signify one lap before the green flag will again be displayed. All cars must stay in single file until the green flag is displayed.

a. When caution car is used the NASCAR official in charge of the event will designate the driver of the caution car.

4. While the yellow flag is being displayed, no member of pit crews will be allowed to cross the pit border line onto the race course to contact car or driver. Violation will mean loss of one lap.

a. Pit attendants and mechanics shall not go on the race track to give the driver water, or for any other reason, while the cars are racing, or while they are running under the yellow flag. The only time drivers or cars may receive service is when they are completely stopped, in the pits.

5. Cars returning to the race course from the pits while the yellow flag is out must wait for rear end of the field in line behind the caution car, or as directed by the pit flagman.

6. No pit crews may service or repair any wrecked or damaged car until the car has been removed from race course.

RED FLAG

The red flag means that the race must be stopped immediately regardless of position of cars on track. The red flag shall be used if, in the opinion of starter, the track is unsafe to continue race. Cars should be brought to starting line if possible and kept on track proper. No repairs of any nature or refueling will be permitted when the race is halted due to a red flag. All work must stop on any car in the pits when red flag is displayed, and work cannot be resumed until race is restarted. Any driver not obeying red flag signal shall be subject to disqualification, fine and/or suspension.

BLACK FLAG

1. Black flag means go to pits immediately -- report to NASCAR official at your pit. Does not mean automatic disqualification. However, failure to obey black flag will result in disqualification, suspension and/or fine. After receiving black flag or blackboard for four laps, scoring on car involved will be discontinued until pit stop has been made and car is released by a NASCAR official to resume racing. If a car ignores the black flag for four laps, a black flag with a white cross will be displayed to inform the driver involved that scoring of his car has been discontinued.

2. All tracks are requested to have a blackboard available in full view of competitors on which the number of the car being black flagged is to be shown.

3. In all races, if the hood or rear deck lid comes open, the starter must show said car the black flag as soon as possible, and any driver attempting to continue in competition with the hood open will be immediately disqualified.

NOTE: When black and red flags are displayed together, it signals the end of practice -- clear the track.

WHITE FLAG

1. When the white flag is displayed it means you have started into your last lap. When the yellow flag is displayed during the white flag lap, all cars will be scored on the basis of the position in which they cross the start-finish line after receiving the checkered flag.

2. No car may receive any assistance after said car has received the white flag, except cars on a regular pit stop.

CHECKERED FLAG

1. When checkered flag is displayed it means race is finished. When the required race distance has been completed by the lead car, the race will be declared "official" regardless of what flag has been displayed. (Final disposition of any flag dispute will be decided by NASCAR official in charge of the event).

2. When the checkered flag is given the leader, the balance of the field receives the checkered flag in the same lap. Finishing positions will be paid off according to most laps traveled in the least time, regardless of whether the car is still running or not.

3. The driver receiving the checkered flag first in any feature race must bring his car to the starting line and remain there until released by the NASCAR official in charge of the event.

SPECIAL FLAGS

(Including passing flag). Special flags may be used at the discretion of starter and officials, but must be fully explained to all contestants before the races start.