Starting in 2017, most events are divided into stages, typically two, followed by a final segment. At the conclusion of Stage 1 and 2, the top 10 drivers earn championship points, and a mandatory caution period occurs.
This caution creates a strategic crossroads for teams: should they prioritize earning immediate stage points, or focus on track position for the remainder of the race?
This leads to the tactic known as 'flipping the stage.' A team might elect to make its routine pit stop a few laps before the current stage officially ends. This critical move happens under green-flag conditions. While the car temporarily falls to the rear of the lead lap during this early stop, the strategy plays out during the subsequent caution.
When the stage concludes, and the mandatory caution appears and the green white checkerd flag is waved, all the other leading teams then head to pit road for their service. Because the 'flipping' team has already completed their stop, they cycle out ahead of many cars that were previously leading or in the top 10. They've effectively 'flipped' their relative track position.
Teams employ this strategy because track position is paramount in NASCAR. Being at the front means running in 'clean air,' optimizing aerodynamics for more speed and better handling.
