Sam Mayer takes the checkered flag under caution to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Iowa Speedway in 2025. Image: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
If a caution comes out with 10 laps to go in the stage, that will count as the stage break.
The top 10 running order at the time will be determined using timing and scoring and other available resources.
When the leader crosses the start-finish line, they will take the green-and-white chequered flag and the yellow.
The changes apply to all three national series and come into effect immediately ahead of NASCAR’s visit to Iowa Speedway.
In an address to fans on social media, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said they took fan feedback onboard following the Brickyard 400, which featured a half-hour-long caution.
“It stems from what happened in Indy where we’ve seen all too often a caution comes out before the stage break, we run a number of caution laps, we try and get back green, stage break comes, and we’re back to caution,” said O’Donnell.
“Long periods of caution laps, not enough green flag racing. We heard you, we want to make a change, so starting this weekend in Iowa, if a caution comes out 10 laps prior to a stage break that is going to count as the stage break.
“No more back-to-back cautions, no more elongated cautions laps. More green flag racing, more action for you, the fans. I want to thank you, because you pushed us. Your passion for the sport helped us make changes more quickly.
“I want to applaud the industry. They’ve come together with the Chase, new superspeedway package at Daytona, looking at some things on the short tracks, and now really trying to speed up the cautions.
“It’s not going to be perfect, but we’re going to learn from this and continue to innovate. So thank you.”
The NASCAR Cup Series at Iowa takes place on Monday, August 10 (AEST).
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— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) August 6, 2026