Flags of NASCAR

Green means go. The green flag tells the drivers to start racing. It is shown at the beginning of the race, and whenever a race is restarted after a caution period.

This flag warns drivers to drive with caution. It is often displayed after an accident or when there is some type of debris on the track. Once the yellow flag is displayed, drivers are free to race to the start/finish line, but after crossing it, they must hold their positions and line up behind the pace car until the green flag comes out to restart racing.

This flag is known as the "passing flag." It tells slower drivers who are more than a lap down to show courtesy and let the leaders pass. This is the only flag that drivers may choose to ignore.

The black flag tells a driver to report to the pits immediately. It can signify that there is a problem with the driver's car, or that the driver has broken some type of rule, or simply that a driver is going too slow. In any case, the driver who receives a black flag must report to the pits.

Red means stop. When the red flag is waved, everything comes to an immediate halt. Cars must stop regardless of their position on the track and no work may be done on the cars. The red flag is often used in times of inclement weather, but may also be shown whenever NASCAR officials determine that conditions are not conducive to racing.

This flag indicates that the race leader has started the final lap. It is only shown once during the race.

This flag is flown when the first car crosses the finish line and the race is completed.