KINGSPORT, Tenn. (December 15, 2011) – The 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season had an increase in the number of cautions compared to 2010, but less than the 2009 total. There were 278 cautions during the 36-race Sprint Cup season just completed compared to 265 in 2010. The 2009 total was 305.
All 36 races reached the scheduled distance with seven extended by late-race cautions which set up a green-white-checkered finish.
Here’s a caution breakdown for the last three years provided by Darnell Communications for Dodge Motorsports.
SPRINT CUP SERIES
2011 2010 2009
Cautions 278 265 305
Caution Laps 1,358 1,325 1,447
Laps Run 10,550 10,778 10,492
Miles Run 14,236.738 14,537.508 14,107.391
Miles Under Caution 1,813.507 1,839.510 1,972.568
Most Cautions in a Race 2011 – 18 (Martinsville2) 2010 – 15 (Martinsville2) 2009 – 17 (Darlington)
Fewest Cautions in a Race 2011 – 3 (New Hampshire2) 2010 – 3 (Richmond2) 2009 — 3 (Michigan1, Indianapolis)
Most Caution Laps in a Race 2011 – 108 (Martinsville2) 2010 – 103 (Bristol2) 2009 – 73 (Martinsville1)
Most Miles Under Caution 2011 – 150.000 (Daytona1) 2010 – 100.000 (Daytona1) 2009 – 99.718 (Darlington)
Race Extended Due to Caution 2011 – 7 2010 – 7 2009 – 5
Races Shortened Due To Weather 2011 – 0 2010 – 0 2009 – 3
Caution Breakdown 2011 2010 2009 Cautions 278 265 305 Accident 139 140 146 Spin/Stalled 47 46 53 Debris 59 49 70 Oil/Fluids 17 16 14 Rain 9 5 12 Competition Yellow 6 6 9 Other 1 3 1
–Provided by Darnell Communications for Dodge Motorsports
