For example, in Daytona, the #10 car pitted on green just before a caution. At the time they were running 3rd or 4th I believe, and the #99 car was in the lead. After the yellow, where most everyone else pitted, the #10 was now in the DP lead. #10 pits under green and the leader #99 pits under yellow, yet the #10 comes out ahead. I don't understand how this is possible. A pit stop under green is typically much costlier because the rest of the field is flying around the course. Pitting under yellow should be less costly as the field is moving much slower. What gives?

fondueski - 04 July 2009 02:32 PM

For example, in Daytona, the #10 car pitted on green just before a caution. At the time they were running 3rd or 4th I believe, and the #99 car was in the lead. After the yellow, where most everyone else pitted, the #10 was now in the DP lead. #10 pits under green and the leader #99 pits under yellow, yet the #10 comes out ahead. I don't understand how this is possible. A pit stop under green is typically much costlier because the rest of the field is flying around the course. Pitting under yellow should be less costly as the field is moving much slower. What gives?

The person that pitted under green gets to catch up to the field while they are going slow behind the saftey car while the other cars pit under yellow the car that pitted under green stays out and passes them. If there is a full course yellow during pit stops you want to stop before the yellow comes out.

Thanks - so that makes sense, and that's why everyone wants to pit for their last stop as soon as that window opens.