HAMPTON, Ga. -- The final laps of Sunday's NASCAR playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway were altered by a delinquent Walmart banner, as a piece of signage fell off a post on the catchfence along the front straightaway to bring out a critical caution with 10 laps to go. The large piece of debris played quite a factor in the race's outcome, as it would bunch up the field for a restart with five laps to go in a race that eventually went to overtime and was won by Joey Logano.
The caution is out for a Walmart sign. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/ZcLEne0kQl
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 8, 2024
While the odds of a sign falling down onto the racing surface seemed relatively low even afterwards, NASCAR officials wound up taking no chances. As track safety workers removed the banner from the racing surface on the front straightaway, they also removed the remaining dangling signage to ensure to no further issues or free advertising for Walmart, which was also the presenting sponsor of the race alongside Quaker State.
They're making sure another sign doesn't fall on the track. 😆 #NASCARPlayoffs | USA Network pic.twitter.com/HDb3hugkIc
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) September 8, 2024
When quizzed on pit road after the race, drivers asked about the signage by CBS Sports weren't aware that the late-race caution was for a giant banner, but found it rather amusing.
"Pretty wild for sure," fifth-place finisher Alex Bowman said before teasing spotter Kevin Hamlin. " Kevin didn't tell me it was a banner that fell down, he just said it was debris. ... Glad I missed that."
"I never saw it. Is that what the caution was for?", Ryan Blaney laughed before suggesting an alternative means of advertising along the perimeter of the racetrack: "Paint it!"
Following another caution with two laps to go for a crash by Noah Gragson, the race would end in overtime with Joey Logano taking the checkered flag over Daniel Suarez, giving him his second win of the 2024 season and advancing him to the Round of 12 in the playoffs.
