The debate over NASCAR’s last-lap caution flag refuses to die down. Current drivers, former racers, and industry experts have weighed in, with most prioritizing safety over spectacle. But one voice stood out. Larry McReynolds, former NASCAR crew chief. McReynolds also happens to be a current racing analyst on FOX Sports and a columnist on Foxsports.com.

Speaking on SiriusXM’s On Track podcast, McReynolds suggested that a race should only end under a checkered flag, regardless of crashes. His solution? Keep the race going until a winner is crowned. “The only flag that can end the race is a checkered flag waving,” he said. While his idea aimed to preserve the drama of racing, it raised serious concerns among drivers who risk their lives every time they strap in. Joey Logano and Kyle Busch, both seasoned champions, didn’t hold back in their response.

Kyle Busch and Joey Logano reject McReynolds’ controversial caution fix

Larry McReynolds’ call for finishing races only under the checkered flag sparked strong reactions from NASCAR’s top drivers. His suggestion to allow unlimited overtime attempts until a winner is crowned did not sit well with Kyle Busch and Joey Logano, both of whom emphasized the importance of safety over spectacle. They made their stance crystal clear.

Joey Logano challenged McReynolds’ perspective, as reported by the Beating and Banging podcast. “It’s easy to say when you’re not sitting in the race car,” he pointed out. He emphasized that safety has to remain the number one priority in motorsports. Joey Logano also insisted that drivers must be trained to approach crashes responsibly rather than plowing through wrecks for the sake of an exciting finish.

Kyle Busch went even further, dismissing McReynolds’ opinion outright. “Well, he’s not a driver, and he’s never been in a race car and been T-boned or hit a wall at 180 mph. So he has no say… Racing to the checkered flag would be pure entertainment and not safety to i disagree with that.” Busch stated bluntly. As someone who has endured high-speed crashes firsthand, Busch made it clear that driver perspectives matter more in these discussions.

Logano and Busch have already been involved in crashes in the 2025 season. For instance, Busch got involved in a crash at the Daytona 500, which was, ironically, set in motion by Logano. With 20 laps to go, Logano pulled out an aggressive move, trying to squeeze through a gap left open by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., which triggered a chain reaction. Then, at Atlanta, Busch (and many others) nearly got into an accident, all thanks to Carson Hovercar’s aggressive driving.

Eventually, the Ambetter Health 400 saw eight wrecks that disappointingly ended the race for many. However, the utmost concern is that they put the safety of the drivers at risk. The last-lap wreck happened when Chase Briscoe hit the wall. This led to a multi-car crash, resulting in the caution flag being waved, Christopher Bell winning the race under yellow.

It is worth noting that Briscoe was in the top/midpack, which naturally put the drivers behind him in danger as they were pushing extra hard to the finish line. With cars stacked up at high speeds, any attempt to race through the wreck could have escalated into an even more dangerous situation. This is exactly why Kyle Busch and Joey Logano pushed back against McReynolds’ idea.

While some fans may agree with McReynolds that green-flag finishes make for better entertainment, the risk factor is undeniable. NASCAR has made major safety strides in recent years, and drivers like Busch and Logano believe that rolling back those precautions just to guarantee an exciting finish is a step in the wrong direction.

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Other drivers voice their concern regarding safety

In the aftermath of recent high-speed crashes, several NASCAR drivers have expressed concerns about the current state of safety in the sport. Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, pointed out the dangers of an unlimited overtime idea. “If you said that you had to finish it under green in checkered, we would run out of gas because we would just keep crashing each other.”

Ryan Preece, who experienced a terrifying crash at Daytona for two of the last three years, emphasized that no position on the track is truly safe. “You’re not safe anymore,” he admitted, echoing the growing unease among drivers. Preece saw his car flip 10 times at Daytona in 2023; he was rushed to the hospital with black eyes but walked out safely in a few days. Then, in 2025, his car was sent airborne once again and came crashing down before spinning out. Preece said after the race, “I’m lucky to walk away, but we’re getting really close to somebody not being able to, so I’m very grateful.”

Tyler Reddick added to the discussion, highlighting the chaos of late-race wrecks. “You never want to be in a situation where you’re sliding across the track backwards, upside down, in the fence, and cars around you are not slowing down for the wreck.” At Las Vegas in 2024, Reddick was involved in a multi-car crash, which sent his car tumbling on the infield and flipping over at high speeds. Understandably, he realizes the need for caution flags at any point of the race.

As incidents continue to pile up, many in the garage are questioning whether NASCAR’s current approach is putting drivers at unnecessary risk. While fans love dramatic finishes, drivers are pushing for a balance between excitement and safety. With the 2025 season in full swing, the pressure is mounting on NASCAR officials to reassess safety protocols. Will they make changes before another major wreck forces their hand?