Flags at the Track

green.
green.
green.

white...
white..
white..

yellow
yellow
yellow

red...
red...
red...

black
black
black

Black:

Come into the pits immediately for consultation. Normally, this flag is waved at an individual car, either because it has a mechanical problem or has broken a rule. Waved in combination with a red flag signals the end of a practice session

Black with White X:

If a driver does not pit within five laps of receiving a black flag they will be shown a black flag with a white 'X' on it. This flag tells the driver that they are no longer being scored and have effectively been disqualified from the race until they obey the previous black flag and pit.

Green:

The track is clear and cars may proceed at speed. This flag is used to signal the beginning of the race and any restarts.

White:

There is one lap remaining in the scheduled distance.

Checkered:

The event has reached its scheduled distance and the race is complete.

Yellow (CAUTION):

The track is not clear, slow down and hold your position behind the pace car. This flag is used to signal an accident, debris caused by contact or mechanical failure, or weather-related issues. NASCAR rules allow cars to bunch up behind the leader. In most cases, lead-lap cars restart in the outside lane, while any lapped cars restart to the inside. In addition, a yellow flag during a practice session means cars should go to pits immediately.

Red:

The track is unsafe and there is a situation that requires immediate attention. Cars must go to a designated location and stop. This flag is usually waved in cases of heavy precipitation, an accident which requires immediate medical assistance or if the track is blocked. In addition, NASCAR reserves the right to throw a red flag in the closing laps of a race to make sure the event ends under green conditions.

Blue with Orange Stripe:

This is the "courtesy" flag or the "move over" flag. It is the only flag that is optional. A driver may, at his discretion, ignore this flag. It is displayed to a car (or group of cars) to let them know that the leaders are coming up behind them and that should be courteous and move over to let the leaders race.

What do the flags at the track mean?
Move your mouse over the flag to see the meaning