SPECTATORS 101

The flagman is the most visible person while the races are running. The basic job of the flagman (or sometimes called "the starter") is to operate the race as safely as possible and watch for rule infractions. The flags are how the flagman communicates to the racers during the race.
GREEN = Go
YELLOW = Caution
WHITE = 1 lap to go
CHECKERED= Race is over

There are a few more flags that are used less, but have very important meanings:
BLACK= disqualified for a rules infraction
BLUE W/YELLOW STRIPE= Hold position, leaders are about to lap you
RED= Stop the race immediately

We also use a BLACK WITH YELLOW SQUARE= You have a mechanical problem and you need to go to the pits to fix it, once repaired you may rejoin the race.

The flagman may also point a rolled up yellow or black flag at a car, that is a warning for a minor infraction or cautioning the driver for being too aggressive and non sportsman like in their racing conduct.

A rolled up yellow flag in one hand and a rolled up green flag in the other waved up and down tells the racers to line up side by side for the start of the race. 

A rolled up green flag spun in a circle is telling the cars to go ahead and make a few fast laps to warm up the tires (cars that race on "slicks" need to do this, classes that use a treaded street type tire do not).

When there is only five laps remaining the flagman will lean out and show the drivers five fingers so that they are aware that the race is almost over. Also in most racing classes if a yellow or red flag is used during the last 5 laps, the race will re-start with 5 laps more to go.

The flagman is in constant radio contact with the pit boss and the lap score writers in the tower. The order of line up on re-starts after a yellow or red flag is determined by the lap prior to the yellow or red flag.

One item that does occur on a frequent basis and causes some confusion to newer spectators is this rule: If your car is involved in a incident that requires a yellow or red flag, ALL CARS INVOLVED MUST be moved to the back of the line up. Even if you car was the "victim" and not the cause of the incident, you must still be moved to the back of the line up.

The race takes many, many persons working hard in a very coordinated effort to make it all work. There are several people in the pits who work for the pit boss, we also have safety crews, sweep crews (for oil on the track), push truck operators, lap writers, tow truck operators, and the ever present announcer. We also have security personnel and concession stand workers, and last but certainly not least, the track manager and track promoter!.
Most nights it all works right and it looks very simple, but it is only through the very hard work of our highly experienced personnel that makes it all seem so easy.

We follow the same order of events at every race date and they are as follows:

1st: Time Trials (vehicles run 2 laps on the clock to set their starting positions for the nights events)
2nd: Trophy Dashes (usually the 4 fastest cars in each class, they run a 4 lap race)
3rd: Heat Races (an 8 lap race by class with usually 4 - 10 cars in each heat)
4th: "B" Main (we do not always have a "B" main, but if we do it is a second chance for cars that did not time in fast enough to be in the "A" (or main) event. Typically the top 4 winners from the "B" have the opportunity to move up in to the "A" main.
5th: All the "A" mains for all the classes.

On an added note, all track classes run a full "invert" which simply means that at the start of a race the faster cars are the ones all the way in the back. Other classes have an invert formula they follow as well, but it does vary from class to class.

If you have any questions, please ask one of our staff, they will be glad to assist you!

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