What do the flags mean in auto racing?
For the most part, the flags in Auto Racing mean the same across the different racing series.
The green flag: the start of the race or a restart after a caution or red flag.
The yellow flag: a caution has been called and the cars need to slow down and wait for the Pace Car.
The red & yellow stripped flag: used only on road courses and means debris or oil on the track.
The red flag with a yellow "X": pit road is closed.
The red flag: the race has been stopped.
The white flag: one lap left.
The white flag with a red cross: an ambulance is on the track (Indy Car Series only).
The black flag: a driver has been penalized.
The black flag with a white "X": the driver’s laps aren’t being counted anymore (shown with the car/driver number, after ignoring the black flag).
The blue flag: a local caution has been called, or there’s a slow car on the track (NASCAR Road Courses only).
The blue flag with a white diagonal stripe: a faster car is coming.
The checkered flag: the race is finished
1) Green: start/restart after race has been cautioned or stopped.
2)Yellow: caution on track, reduces speed to set parameters.
3)Red : race is stopped due to inclement weather or safety issue.
4) Black: driver is penalized.
5) White: One lap remains in race.
6) Black and white checkered: The race is completed and a winner has been determined.
The fact that you aren’t aware of these means we should stop here as there are several other penalty phase flags across different series of racing that are not often used and would only complicate things. Start with these for maximum enjoyment and by all means, gentlemen start your engines.
