Caution

Learn how Caution works in NASCAR 25: triggers, pit stops under yellow, lucky dog, restarts, stage breaks, and settings. Quick steps, fixes, and beginner tips.

You’re cruising, then the yellow flies and everything gets confusing—pace car, pit open/closed, wave-arounds, restarts. This guide cuts the chaos so you can use a Caution to gain spots, not lose them. You’ll learn what triggers yellows, how to pit under caution, and the settings to check so it works the way you expect.

Quick answer

A Caution (yellow flag) slows the field and “freezes” positions after an incident. The pace car picks up the leader, pit road opens/closess in sequence, and restarts are double-file in most NASCAR formats. Use cautions to reset your tires/fuel, get damage fixed, and make smart calls (pit vs. stay out) without losing as much time. If cautions aren’t appearing or feel excessive, check your Flags/Rules settings.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Pause and open Settings/Options. Look for Flags/Rules/Cautions and make sure full-course cautions are ON.
• Scan for Pit Road Assist/Speed Limiter options and turn them ON while you learn.
• In a quick race, watch for “Pit Closed” then “Pit Open” during a caution. Only pit when you see “Pit Open” for your lane.
• On restarts, don’t pass before the start/finish line; roll into the throttle to avoid wheelspin on cold tires.
• If you’re a lap down, watch the HUD for “Lucky Dog/Free Pass” or “Wave-Around” prompts.

What this means in NASCAR 25

• Caution (yellow flag): The race is neutralized after a wreck or debris. The field forms behind the pace car and passes are restricted.
• Why it matters: Cautions compress the field, let you fix damage, and can flip strategy through pit stops and lane choices. They also stabilize races for beginners.
• Core ideas:
  • Field frozen: Your running order is set at the yellow. Don’t pass unless instructed by the HUD.
  • Pit rules: Pit road typically closes at yellow and reopens first to lead-lap cars, then to lapped cars.
  • Free Pass (Lucky Dog): First car one lap down gets a lap back if not involved in the caution.
  • Wave-Around: Lapped cars may get waved around the pace car if they don’t pit; they cannot pit until after the restart.
  • Restarts: Usually double-file. Do not pass before the line. Tires are cold; be smooth.
  • Stage breaks: If enabled, stages end with an automatic caution.
  • Overtime: If enabled, the race can extend for a green–white–checkered finish.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• Cautions never appear
  • Likely cause: Flags/Cautions are OFF, or yellow frequency is set low.
  • Fix: Turn on Flags/Rules and set Caution frequency/strictness to Normal.
• Too many cautions
  • Likely cause: Aggressive AI setting, unstable car, or strict yellows.
  • Fix: Lower AI aggression, enable stability/traction assists, set yellow frequency to Normal/Reduced.
• Black-flagged under yellow
  • Likely cause: Passing before the line, entering closed pits, or pit speeding.
  • Fix: Wait for the green/restart zone; only pit when Pit Open shows; obey pit speed with assists ON.
• Lost positions during pit cycles
  • Likely cause: Pitting when closed, pitting on the wrong lap, or speeding.
  • Fix: Pit the first lap pits are open for your group; hit your pit limiter; brake early into pit entry.
• Didn’t get the Lucky Dog
  • Likely cause: You were involved in the incident, not the first car a lap down, or Free Pass disabled.
  • Fix: Stay clean during the yellow; check Flags settings; be the first car one lap down.
• Wave-around but still a lap down
  • Likely cause: You took wave-around then pitted before the restart.
  • Fix: If you wave-around, do not pit until after the green; you’ll be on older tires—drive conservatively.
• Restart wheelspin, lose spots
  • Likely cause: Cold rears, too much throttle, low traction.
  • Fix: Roll on throttle 50–70% at launch, short-shift if manual, enable traction control while learning.

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Turn cautions on/off and set strictness

• Go to Options/Settings. Look for a tab named Gameplay, Rules, or Flags.
• Find a toggle or dropdown for Cautions/Full-Course Yellows/Flags.
• Set to On/Full, and set Caution Frequency/Strictness to Normal to start.
• Common gotcha: Some games separate “Flags” and “Penalties.” Make sure both are on if you want realistic yellows and black flags.

2. Pit correctly under caution

• Watch your HUD for “Pit Closed” and “Pit Open.”
• When “Pit Open” shows for your group (usually lead-lap cars first), choose to pit via the pit strategy UI or by entering pit road when allowed. Look for a prompt like “Request Pit Stop” or “Pit Options.”
• Enter below pit speed. If there’s a pit limiter/assist, turn it on.
• Hit your stall cleanly, let the crew work, and exit safely following the blend line and HUD arrows.
• You should see instructions for where to line up (behind Car X). Do not pass unless told.
• Common gotcha: Pitting when closed will often result in an end-of-line penalty.

3. Use Lucky Dog and wave-around

• If you’re the first car one lap down and not involved, watch for a Free Pass prompt. Accept it if required.
• If trapped between the leader and pace car, a “wave-around” may become available when leaders pit. Only take it if you can afford to stay out; you cannot pit before the restart.
• You should rejoin at the tail end of the field after taking a lap back.
• Common gotcha: Taking wave-around then pitting under yellow cancels the benefit.

4. Nail the restart

• If a Choose Rule is present, you’ll select inside/outside near the choose cone. If not, you’ll line up per HUD instructions.
• Hold pace speed, don’t jump the leader, and don’t pass before the start/finish line.
• Roll into the throttle smoothly; expect cold tires and reduced grip for 1–2 laps.
• Common gotcha: Switching lanes too late or crossing the line early leads to penalties.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

• Beginner:
  • Flags/Full Cautions: On
  • Caution Frequency: Normal
  • Pit Road Assist/Pit Speed Limiter: On
  • Damage: Reduced/Light
  • Stability/Traction Control: On
  • Why: Lets you learn pit timing, penalties, and restarts without constant wrecks.
• Intermediate:
  • Keep Flags On, Frequency Normal
  • Pit Assist: On entry only; release manual
  • Damage: Moderate
  • Stability: Lower; Traction: Low
  • Why: More control on pit exit and restarts; realistic consequences.
• Advanced:
  • Full Flags, realistic penalties
  • Pit Assist: Off
  • Damage: Full
  • Assists: Minimal/Off
  • Why: Maximum realism and strategy depth.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Track: A 1.5-mile oval (for example, Charlotte) or any familiar intermediate.
• Setup: Short race length with Flags/Cautions On. If the game offers Stage Racing, enable it for a guaranteed caution.
• Drill:
  • Lap 1–3: Run clean, watch HUD cues for a stage break or AI-triggered yellow.
  • Under yellow: Practice calling a pit stop, hitting pit speed, and rejoining in order.
  • Restart: Focus on throttle control and holding your lane to Turn 1.
• Success looks like: No penalties, clean pit entry/exit, hold or gain at least one position on the restart.
• One mistake to avoid: Pitting when pits are closed or when your lane isn’t open yet.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Pitting when closed
  • Looks like: Immediate black flag or end-of-line.
  • Why: Misread HUD.
  • Fix: Wait for “Pit Open” for your group.
• Passing under yellow
  • Looks like: Penalty or warning.
  • Why: Not realizing field is frozen.
  • Fix: Maintain position; only pass when HUD says to wave by.
• Pit speeding
  • Looks like: Drive-through or end-of-line.
  • Why: Late braking, no limiter.
  • Fix: Brake early; use Pit Assist or limiter until consistent.
• Losing a lap during caution pits
  • Looks like: You cycle out behind the pace car incorrectly.
  • Why: Pitted at wrong time or queued behind lapped cars.
  • Fix: Pit with your group on the first open lap; watch entry light.
• Giving up Lucky Dog
  • Looks like: Remain a lap down after yellow.
  • Why: Involved in the incident or not first car a lap down.
  • Fix: Stay clean near incidents; manage pace to be first lapped car.
• Restart wheelspin
  • Looks like: Falling back 3–5 spots at the green.
  • Why: Cold tires, aggressive throttle.
  • Fix: Smooth 50–70% throttle, short-shift if needed.
• Bad wave-around choice
  • Looks like: Back on lead lap but on old tires, then quickly re-passed.
  • Why: Took wave-around when a long run was expected.
  • Fix: Only wave-around if track position outweighs tire wear.

FAQs

• How do cautions work in NASCAR 25?
  • The game freezes positions after a yellow, forms the field behind the pace car, opens pits in order, and restarts double-file. Expect stage-break cautions if stages are enabled.
• How do I turn cautions on or off?
  • Go to Options/Settings and look for a Rules/Flags/Cautions section. Set Flags/Cautions to On for realistic racing, or Off for uninterrupted green runs.
• Why didn’t I get the Lucky Dog?
  • You must be the first car one lap down and not involved in the caution. Some settings can disable the Free Pass, so check the Rules/Flags menu.
• What causes a caution to trigger?
  • Spins, multi-car contact, heavy debris, or a stopped car typically trigger it. Strictness depends on your Caution Frequency/Rules settings.
• Can I pit under caution when pit road is closed?
  • You can physically enter, but you’ll almost always be penalized. Wait for “Pit Open” for your group.
• What is a wave-around and when should I use it?
  • If you’re trapped a lap down ahead of the leader at the pace car, you may be waved around when leaders pit. Use it when you can afford to stay out; you cannot pit before the restart.
• How do restarts work under yellow?
  • Line up per HUD, choose a lane if available, don’t pass before the start/finish, and roll smoothly into the throttle. Cold tires reduce grip for the first lap.

Next steps

Cautions are opportunities—free fixes, fresh tires, and a reset on track position. Keep Flags On, learn pit timing, and treat restarts like mini-qualifying laps.

Do this next: Run a short race with Flags On and practice one clean pit stop and one clean restart. Then reduce assists as you get consistent.

Related articles:

• Pit Road: Speed, entry, exit, and penalties
• Restarts and Overtime: Launching clean and fast
• Stage Racing: Strategy at scheduled cautions
• AI Difficulty and Clean Racing Lines
• Tire Wear and Fuel Strategy Basics