The debate over NASCAR’s last-lap caution flag refuses to die down. Current drivers, former racers, and industry experts have weighed in, with most prioritizing safety over spectacle. But one voice stood out, Larry McReynolds, former NASCAR crew chief. McReynolds also happens to be a current racing analyst on FOX Sports and a columnist on Foxsports.com.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s On Track podcast, McReynolds suggested that a race should only end under a checkered flag, regardless of crashes. His solution? Keep the race going until a winner is crowned. “The only flag that can end the race is a checkered flag waving,” he said. While his idea aimed to preserve the drama of racing, it raised serious concerns among drivers who risk their lives every time they strap in. Joey Logano and Kyle Busch, both seasoned champions, didn’t hold back in their response.
Kyle Busch and Joey Logano reject McReynolds’ controversial caution fix
Larry McReynolds’ call for finishing races only under the checkered flag sparked strong reactions from NASCAR’s top drivers. His suggestion to allow unlimited overtime attempts until a winner is crowned did not sit well with Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, both of whom emphasized the importance of safety over spectacle. They made their stance crystal clear.
Joey Logano challenged McReynolds’ perspective, as reported by the Beating and Banging podcast. “It’s easy to say when you’re not sitting in the race car,” he pointed out. He emphasized that safety has to remain the number one priority in motorsports. Joey Logano also insisted that drivers must be trained to approach crashes responsibly rather than plowing through wrecks for the sake of an exciting finish.
Kyle Busch went even further, dismissing McReynolds’ opinion outright. “Well, he’s not a driver, and he’s never been in a race car and been T-boned or hit a wall at 180 mph. So he has no say… Racing to the checkered flag would be pure entertainment and not safety to i disagree with that.” Busch stated bluntly. As someone who has endured high-speed crashes firsthand, Busch made it clear that driver perspectives matter more in these discussions.
The Ambetter Health 400 saw eight wrecks that disappointingly ended the race for many but, most importantly, put the safety of the drivers at risk. The last-lap wreck happened when Chase Briscoe hit the wall. This led to a multi-car crash, resulting in the caution flag being waved.
It is worth noting that Briscoe was in the top/midfield, which naturally put the drivers behind him in danger as they were pushing extra hard to the finish line. With cars stacked up at high speeds, any attempt to race through the wreck could have escalated into an even more dangerous situation. This is exactly why Kyle Busch and Joey Logano pushed back against McReynolds’ idea.
While some fans may agree with McReynolds that green-flag finishes make for better entertainment, the risk factor is undeniable. NASCAR has made major safety strides in recent years, and drivers like Busch and Logano believe that rolling back those precautions just to guarantee an exciting finish is a step in the wrong direction.
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The post “He’s Never Been in a Racecar”: Kyle Busch & Joey Logano Gang Up to Trash NASCAR Veteran’s Insensitive Proposal appeared first on EssentiallySports.
