NASCAR Overtime Rules

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Like most sports, NASCAR has certain scenarios in which regulation competition must be extended into overtime. Instead of adding time, this sport uniquely increases the distance of the race. There are very specific rules and regulations that govern such overtime during a NASCAR race. Read on to learn all about the rules of overtime in NASCAR.

What Is Overtime in NASCAR?

In NASCAR, overtime occurs when the race is extended beyond its initial distance because the race was under caution during the closing laps. NASCAR overtime goes into effect in two specific scenarios:

• If the caution lights are illuminated and the yellow flag is displayed prior to the leader crossing the finish line while being shown the white flag signaling the final lap of a race.
• When a caution occurs during the first lap of a NASCAR overtime.

NASCAR Overtime Rules

Since NASCAR races cannot end under caution, a two-lap overtime goes into effect when the final scheduled lap of a race is completed under yellow-flag conditions. After the hazard has been cleared from the track and the caution lights are turned out, the field lines up in order behind the pace car.

The pace car pulls off the track, and the field makes a rolling restart from the start/finish line. Just like at the end of the race, a white flag will be waved after the first lap of overtime, indicating that the next flag (yellow or checkered) will signal the end of the race.

Number of NASCAR Overtime Attempts

NASCAR overtime will be attempted as many times as necessary to declare a winner of the race. If a caution occurs before the first lap of overtime is completed, the overtime procedure will begin again, with the field lining up and restarting again once the caution is lifted.

NASCAR Overtime Rules Summary

• NASCAR races may not end under caution (yellow flag) conditions.
• NASCAR overtime does not occur if the leader has received a white flag on the final scheduled lap.
• Overtime lasts two laps.
• After the first lap of overtime, the white flag is shown.
• After the white flag has been shown, the next flag (yellow or checkered) signals the end of the race.
• If a caution occurs during overtime before the white flag has been shown, an additional overtime will be added to the end of the race.
• If a caution occurs during overtime after the white flag has been shown, the field is frozen at the time of the caution and the leader is declared the winner.
• The start/finish line becomes the overtime line.
• Overtime takes place as many times as necessary to declare a winner.

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