NASCAR Flags have been around as long as the sport of auto racing itself. Before there were two-way radios in NASCAR race cars, the only method of communicating with drivers during the extremely loud racing action was with the use of colored flags. These large, colorful flags gain the attention of drivers and are easy to see.

Almost every auto racing series uses the same combination of flag colors. NASCAR drivers can see the status of the race by looking at the flag. Just as signal lights at a traffic intersection let drivers know what to do, flags communicate racing conditions to the Nascar drivers. The NASCAR flags are usually waved by a flagman on a platform at the start/finish line. Here is what the different colored flags mean:

Green Flag: The green flag is used to signal the beginning of the race or a race restart. Green means that the track is clear and the race cars may continue.

Yellow Flag: This Nascar flag is used to signal an accident, debris on the track, a mechanical failure or bad weather. The yellow flag means that the track is not clear. It signals drivers to slow down and hold their position. Drivers are allowed to group up behind the leader. A yellow flag during a practice race means the race cars should go to their pit stop immediately.

Red Flag: The red flag means that the track is unsafe and there is a situation that requires the immediate attention of Nascar officials. All race cars must stop. The red flag is usually waved in cases of heavy rain or an accident that requires medical assistance. A red flag can also mean that the race track is blocked by debris or a crashed car. A red flag during the closing laps of a race can also be waved to ensure the race ends under good conditions.

White Flag: The white Nascar flag means that there is one lap remaining in the race.

Checkered Flag: The familiar black and white checkered flag means the race is complete.

Flag nascar denotes the various colored flags that are used to indicate different signals before commencement and during the race. There are different colors, that denote a special warning or indication that the drivers are familiar with which help them race and watch out for any alarms. These flag nascar are showed by the flagman or the grand marshal near the start/end line. Sometimes there are people standing at strategic points waving the same flag nascar to make sure all the drivers notice the flags and pay attention to the indication being signaled by the same. The first flag that is waved is the green flag which denotes that the race has begun and the drivers can begin their journey. Just like green in a normal traffic signal indicates ?go?, here too it means the same thing for the drivers who are all set and ready. Upon seeing the flag from their position, the drivers need to follow it and not disregard it as it could lead to serious accidents or injury to the driver or other cars.

Another flag that is used is the yellow colored flag, which is used to indicate there is some danger or hazard on the track. The drivers upon seeing this should slow down and watch the road ahead. This flag is typically used when there has been an accident on the tracks or a car has gone off course and is in a dangerous position. And any car that collides into it could lead to an explosion and harm to lives. There will be a pace car out on the tracks that should be followed till clear signal is shown. Normally this flag is waved for three laps, as that is the maximum time taken to clear out whatever is hampering the race. Whenever the racers are nearly at the end of the race, with just one lap left, the white flag is waved so they know what their position is. And this flag is waved only once towards the end of the race at the start/finish line. If a red flag is waved while the race is on, it could mean there has been some violation or problem that cannot be rectified and so the race is being stopped and all drivers need to stop their vehicles.

When a driver commits a fault on purpose, this will lead to a black flag nascar being raised just for that car, which means a penalty will be imposed on the driver. This could be in form of cutting of points or disqualifying them from the race. In some races, a blue flag could be waved, a rare occurrence , however it means the driver must be cautious while going around the corner as a car might have some mechanical failure and would have halted. And finally if the black and white checkered flag nascar is waved, the race is over and the first person to see it is the winner of the race.

NASCAR HELPS THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON

NASCAR and the Autoclub Speedway of California teamed up with the Yellow Ribbon Team to salute the Sailors on board the USS George Washington Aircraft Carrier.

With the coming of engineering in the 21st century, reality television has made the front seat. As more and more proficiencies are formulated to make TV more interactional and advanced, sporting events are not left far behind. Nascar has started the race F/X technology, which has enhanced the interest further amongst TV audiences. Well, the technology was primitively started by FOX, which started trailing the hockey puck on national television. The trick was hot, and it became an instant hit.

Nascar brought in a synonymous technology to track their cars. But tracking a puck on a hockey field and tracking a car moving at 200 mph on a racing circuit are two different matters entirely. In Nascar, the commentators talk about a car and then the car is spotlighted with a glowing halo around it. It looks incredibly cool on television. The statistical information about the car is also presented just above the car.

The Technology Behind The Trick

Race F/X uses a wide range of parameters to showcase their final product. GPS orbiters form an integral component of the Race F/X technology. They are used to dig up the cars as they move around the circuit. They work in tandem with an earth-based navigation system. The tracking is so accurate that the car is tracked up to 20 millimeters distance from its real position.

In-car sensing elements in the cars also play a important part in enhancing the telecasted event. They help the GPS locate the cars and also help the networks to collect as much statistical data about the car as possible. The info is highly detailed and contains minute contingents like RPM, acceleration, speed, fuel consumption, and even braking. This information is gathered at the speed of ten times a second. So you can rest assured that it is most recent information that you see on top of your favorite Nascar cars.

You Will Be In It

The day is not very far when you will be able to control the Nascar cars race F/X technology and you will be able to select and highlight the car that you want to follow. This will be done with the help of a set top box, Nascar says. A video game variation of Nascar is also on the advent. This will enable you to race your own virtual car on the racing circuit with the greats of racing. So the days are not far when your own car will be racing beside Jeff Gordon and you will be in your living room all the time. Now isn’t that cool?

This will propel Nascar racing into a entirely different realm altogether. So, get ready, get set, GO!

There is no question that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the top racers in Nascar. He has built up a reputable image through fine racing and countless wins. However, racing is not the only thing this incredible person brings to the sport.

As many are well aware of, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a third generation driver in a family that has been connected to the sport of stock car racing for years. He has a flare of charisma, originality, and character that have propelled him to become one of the most popular figures in sports today. Five times Nascar fans have selected him as the winner of the most popular driver award. Thousands of fans line up at every track at his merchandise trailer just to get something with his name on it. It is hard to see where he has time to meet with so many of his fans but he does. That is what makes him so popular.

His appeal certainly branches outside of just Nascar fans though. He has appeared many times on Harris Interactive’s annual polling for America’s Top 10 favorite athletes. This has put him in the company of such athletes as Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, and Tiger Woods. In 2002, Dale was named one of People magazine’s 50 Most Eligible Bachelors.

Outside of racing, he has become a role model for young ones with his business savvy as well. He has pursued the role of team owner and businessman while ascending in this too. In 2002 JR Motor sports consisted of just six employees and a street-stocked camaro was the only race car. Today, the company encompasses over 100 employees and a plethora of different vehicles that compete in the Nascar Racing Nationwide series.

If that were not enough, he has appeared on over 150 magazine covers and has been featured in high profiled publications such as Rolling Stones, GQ, Men’s Journal, Sports Illustrated and People Magazine. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has also made guest appearances on 60 minutes, the Late Show with David Letterman, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Larry King Live and many more talk shows. He has also appeared in numerous commercials for his sponsors.

But that was just not enough for this Nascar racing star either. He has played cameo roles in Talladega Nights and Cars, and was the subject of an episode of MTV’s Diary. To further add to his resume, in 2001 he became a best-selling author with Driver 8. This is a documentation of his rookie season in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has done tremendous things for the sport of Nascar. Through his countless victories and ambitious personality, he has become a true role model for people all over the world. He has shown that there is life outside of sports with cameos and his documentary book and has given kids a reason to strive for their goals. There really is no question why he is one of America’s Top 10 favorite athletes.

The holidays are coming up and that means only one thing: presents. Many people on your list can be pretty easy to buy for, while others can be a real challenge. For me, buying for the men in my life has always been a bit of a hassle. I wanted to find something that they liked and would get a lot of use out of at the same time.

Are you looking for a good gift idea for the man in your life? Are you never quite sure what to get him, and worry about buying the wrong thing? Does he have t-shirts and ties you have gotten him hidden in the back of your closet? Even if your man is hard to buy for, there are great ideas out there. If you cannot think of a good gift for your man or are tired of giving him the same old thing, consider a gift basket filled with his favorite goodies. Most men have some type of hobby- and our personal favorite is of course NASCAR.

You can purchase gift baskets online, but if you do not have enough time for it to be shipped, you can check your local stores. There may be stores that specifically make gift baskets listed in the phone book. If not, you might contact a local florist as many of them also make gift baskets for special occasions. If you cannot find a local shop and you do not have time to order online, do not panic. Making your own basket is easy enough. You can purchase a basket at any crafts store, use a blanket, apron, or paper to line it and stuff it full of goodies for your man!

Here is our favorite gift idea for the Nascar fan of the household:

NASCAR Gift Basket ? NASCAR fans love almost anything NASCAR gift related. You can fill your man’s basket with his favorite driver’s toy replica cars or a coffee cup with his favorite driver’s number and colors. You can add to the basket a hat, t-shirt, bumper stickers, coasters, magnets, or a key chain. Does your man like to play darts? There are even NASCAR darts! If you really want to give him something extra special, order tickets to his favorite NASCAR race ahead of time and hide those in his basket.

You really have no excuse to get him something old and boring this holiday season. Nascar is hotter than ever and there are so many gifts centered around the sport, that you can easily choose something to keep him happy with! So start searching for fun Nascar goodies and give your man something this holiday season that he will really be proud to call his own. Enjoy!

The world-class driver Dario Franchitti will become the first European in NASCAR history; the Scottish who has raced in the United States since 1997 in the former CART series and Indy Car Series will drive for Chip Ganassi in the 2008 season using the No. 40 Nextel Cup car, to join the well known Juan Pablo Montoya, who made the official switch from F1 to NASCAR last year.

The 34-years- old driver, decided to move to NASCAR after an 11 year?s career in open-wheel racing where he recently obtained the title of the most prestigious race in North American Indy-style racing, the Indianapolis 500 plus the Series Championship. Dario signed a multiyear contract to replace David Stremme; who ended his relationship with his sponsor Coors Light. It is important to mention Franchitti not only had a great end in Indy Car Series, in five seasons of competition his resume lists eight wins, 30 top fives, 46 top 10s and seven pole positions in 67 starts, he is definitely an extraordinary driver.

Dario is the latest international driver to jump to NASCAR after his good friend and former CART Juan Pablo Montoya moved from Formula 1 last year. Apparently, this American sport is becoming more open to drivers of others countries; therefore, its popularity has been expanded worldwide. In regards Franchitti said ?NASCAR fans don’t have to worry about the sport losing its American look.? ?NASCAR is always going to be predominantly US drivers?.

The Scotsman already had his first appearance in stock cars competing at the Craftsman Truck Series in the Kroger 200; however, it was not as he expected since due to an incident he had to leave the competition. Thought, his performance before the lap 100 was above the standard of a first time driver. He will continue to prepare for his first NASCAR Sprint Cup with a show up in NASCAR Busch Series this weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway.

The Scottish has a long way to go before he can even think about winning a stock car race. NASCAR is totally a different world than IndyCar Series and there are a lot of things to get use to. There is a plenty of work to do between now and the beginning of the 2008 season; but the new challenge represents new goals in Dario?s life that seems to have a lot to show still.

There?s a whole lot of unique NASCAR collectibles out there that will gratify true, diehard and committed stock car racing fans. Stuff like apparel, die-cast cars, authentic race memorabilia, blankets, hats and a multitude of other traditional items are available for fans of all ages whether guy or gal. But is there a unique type of merchandise that should also be considered?

Absolutely! Did you know that there is now available for fans of Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson neon clocks with their respective pictures and cars on them? Each one is something very striking and impressive that would be the envy of any fan of these drivers. What are the specifications of these neon clocks?

First off, they are manufactured by Jebco Products which makes these items and other high quality officially licensed NASCAR collectibles as well. They are within either a 16? chrome or 22? black molded round case with a glass or bezel glass lens, respectively. They have electric illumination with battery powered movement. These are simply the features that the fans should know about before they buy one. But much more importantly, what are their benefits?

They are bold. They are magnets for the eyes to admire. They create a picture in the viewer?s mind of competition and a desire in his soul to be a part of it. There?s an invisible quality within each one that can?t be adequately described in human terms. Something is there but can?t be put into words to explain. There?s a feeling that one should belong to you for reasons that only you can possibly know about. It?s all about the NASCAR magic that is deeply within each devoted fan.

The fact that they would be an attractive edition to any home, office, or work area should also be mentioned. Just imagine the perfect spot where the neon clock would be most revered. A side wall in the bedroom? Perhaps at a bare spot down in the finished basement? How about the workshop in either your garage or company location? The hallway?or bathroom?den or kitchen? These are just my guesses and only you can know the best place where one would have the most emotional impact.

Take the advice of StockCarUSA.com and get familiar with the NASCAR collectibles of neon clocks. They would add a new dimension to your love of racing and tell everyone who sees it that you are dead serious about your loyalty. The clocks would not only tell the time but tell others what you are all about in no uncertain terms.

What started off as a way of racing stock motorcars on dirt tracks has now become as America’s biggest and most-watched sporting event. It has rapidly matched and in many places taken over even the NFL as the most-watched sport. Nascar is huge today. For those of you wondering, Nascar stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. There are many popular races that are put on by Nascar. There are more than 1500 races that are sanctioned by Nascar with the Nextel cup, Busch series, and the Craftsman series being the most common ones.

The History

It all began in the early days of the 19th century, when Daytona Beach became the setting for speed and racing cars. It had quickly become the place where speed records were being passed each and every day. In fact, more than 15 records were set here in a span of a few years. Drivers then begun to modify their cars in order to escape the fierceness of the police force. It was here that modified cars began participating in the racing circuit.

William France, Sr.

It was William France, Sr. who can be named the founding father of Nascar or the man who laid the groundwork for it. William France, Sr. had traveled to Daytona Beach from Washington, D.C. to escape from the Great Depression. He then entered in the racing event at Daytona Beach and finished fifth. He saw that very often the drivers were left lurking in the dark after sponsors made off with their money. They were left unpaid most of the times after doing all the hard work.

This led him to the conclusion that a set of regulations, a governing body, and an organized championship were necessary for the improvement of the race and the drivers. This gave way to negotiations with several racing enthusiasts, and Nascar was formed on the 21st of February, 1948.

The First Races And Rules

Can you believe that the first set of Nascar rules and the points system were written on a saloon napkin? The first racing event sponsored by the facultative body was held at Daytona Beach. But the first ever stock car race was held on June 19th, 1949, at the Charlotte speedway. Alterations on the car commenced after about six years after Nascar was formed. Soon, custom-made vehicles began appearing on the circuit.

The Racing Circuits

Some of the tracks expended in the initiatory racing circuits are still utilized today. Martinsville Speedway is one of them. Darlington Raceway, which opened in 1950, is another. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is a popular track on the Nextel Cup circuit, dates back to 1909!

Jimmie Johnson does not receive the media attention that other drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr, Tony Stewart, or even Jeff Gordon demand. In fact, despite his accomplishments, Johnson sometimes takes a back seat to younger drivers such as Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch, as they are considered spitfire personalities as opposed to Johnson’s nice guy, sometimes robotic image.

Nevertheless, the three-time defending Sprint Cup champion does not allow it to bother him. He does not fret over his standing in the sport, but he will admit that he deserves some sort of recognition due to him and his team’s hard work, even though there may be more colorful personalities in the sport.

“This is my moment in the sun too. I’m out there doing my job, trying to win races. There are other guys that are the characters and start the fights and say things and keep it colorful and entertaining. And I certainly enjoy watching those guys do their thing as well but I’m here to do my job and try to win as many championships and races as I can,” he said in a recent interview.

Johnson is regarded as one of the good guys. Most of his fellow competitors admit that they have a difficult time disliking him because he is such a nice guy. He is not the driver that is going to intentionally wreck you, or punch you in the face if he feels that you said or did something that bruised his ego. There are times when Johnson may refrain from saying exactly how he feels because he is simply not the controversial sort of individual.

When asked if he was too nice for his own good, he responded by saying, “It’s a great problem to have. I think the world’s changing. The days of flash, I don’t think people are so interested in those stories anymore. So maybe it’s the year of number 48 in that respect, and the year of Jimmie that respect.”

While fans and media typically flock in droves to storylines that entail controversy and hullabaloo, it is nice to give the good guys their due as well. Having a nice guy image does not take away on track achievements. Johnson is still NASCAR’s top driver at the moment. After all, he owns three Sprint Cup championships and forty career wins in only seven full years on the circuit.

Jimmie Johnson is not the only nice guy in NASCAR that is sometimes disregarded. The 2003 champion Matt Kenseth often flies under the radar, even more so than Johnson. Kenseth opened the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season with wins at Daytona and California, yet he is not ‘The Story’ in NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt Jr’s rough week in Daytona, as well as a possible Jeff Gordon resurgence seems to pique the interest of media and fans alike.

When their careers come to a conclusion, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth will be in the Hall of Fame, and they will be remembered as a couple of NASCAR’s good guys, proving that ‘Nice guys finish last’ is nothing more than an off beam adage.