By Jeffrey Hrunka - Motorsports Today Contributor
One of the most controversial rules in the NASCAR Cup Series is “NASCAR Overtime.” This rule extends the race past its advertised distance in an attempt to end it under green flag conditions, otherwise known as a green-white-checkered finish.
It has been the topic of conversation across numerous social media platforms after the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway on June 30. The rule extended the race past its scheduled distance by 31 laps, requiring a record five overtimes to end the race under the green flag.
The additional laps affected the race outcome by forcing many dominant drivers to vacate their positions for fuel. This allowed numerous underdogs to put themselves in a position to contest for the win.
While parity is good for the sport, manufactured parity is not the way to achieve it. Unlimited overtime attempts can create chaos, showing the sport at its worst. It conveys drivers struggling to make it around the track for one lap.
Five NASCAR overtimes are an anomaly; however, this race is a wake-up call for change. NASCAR must show that these are the best racecar drivers in North America. Drivers racing in the country’s premier motorsport series instead of a demolition derby.
NASCAR can implement two solutions to fix these issues: Limit the number of overtime attempts or eliminate them altogether.
Limit Overtime Attempts
NASCAR moved to unlimited overtime attempts in 2017. Before the rule change, the race was limited to three attempts. If those attempts failed to be completed, the race would end under caution.
Reinstating this rule would require NASCAR to take action against those causing the incidents over the green-white-checkered periods. If you extend overtime by causing a wreck or can’t meet the average speed under green, you are sent to the back of the pack for the next restart.
A reason NASCAR moved on from the three-overtime attempt rule can be seen during the 2015 CampingWorld.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Kevin Harvick, who had an expiring engine, stayed on the racetrack during the final overtime attempt. If he were to come off the track to deal with the issue, he would have likely not advanced to the next round.
Instead, he stayed out on the racetrack and caused the wreck that ended the race, which benefited his advancement in the postseason. This affected Dale Earnhardt Jr. more than any other driver, as he needed a win to advance. Earnhardt Jr. would finish second due to Harvick’s antics during the third overtime attempt.
Although this rule caused controversy when it was implemented, if enforced properly, it can be the best compromise between those who support and oppose overtime.
No More Overtime
The green-white-checkered finish was first implemented in 2004. This was due to the popularity and excitement exemplified when traditional stick and ball sports went into overtime. NASCAR wanted a piece of that action.
Many have argued that this rule has tainted the sport's legitimacy. Of the six races that went into overtime this year, the leader who led at the scheduled distance only won three. This has only gotten more controversial since NASCAR adopted “the win, and you’re in” playoff format.
The format locks the driver into the postseason with a race victory. This has allowed many undeserving drivers to lock themselves into the postseason over the more dominant competition. It further diminishes what it means to be a NASCAR Cup Series champion.
While eliminating overtime may lead to lackluster finishes, it restores legitimacy to a sport that needs it. NASCAR implemented this format to manufacture viral moments, but those moments mean more when they occur naturally.
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