Jeff Burton Calls Out NASCAR After Charlotte Xfinity Confusion

The Xfinity Series race at the Charlotte Roval on Saturday concluded with a wave of confusion, raising questions about NASCAR’s communication systems. The uncertainty revolved around whether driver Parker Kligerman had crossed the finish line before the caution flag was displayed due to a wreck in the final stages of the race.

Initial observations suggested that Kligerman had completed the lap by taking the white flag, signifying the beginning of the final lap. However, NASCAR’s delay in confirming Kligerman’s No. 48 car as the winner added to the ambiguity and left both fans and analysts confused.

The eventual resolution came from a time-stamped photo which demonstrated that Kligerman was a mere few feet short of the start-finish line when the caution flag was issued.

NBC broadcaster and veteran analyst Jeff Burton has raised significant concerns about how the situation was handled. Addressing the audience alongside colleague Steve Letarte, Burton explained:

“We got to get this fixed. I’m sorry. As a fan, I should see a light and say that’s it. They should not have to go back and say, ‘Well, wait a minute, there’s a timestamp.’ I mean, it needs to make sense and it needs to be simple to observe. I’m not saying it’s wrong.”

Burton, nicknamed “The Mayor,” brings years of racing experience to his commentary work at NBC Sports. His illustrious career includes 21 NASCAR Cup Series wins and 27 Xfinity Series victories.

Steve Letarte, a former crew chief and NBC analyst with firsthand knowledge of the sport’s intricate dynamics, echoed Burton’s sentiments. In his analysis, Letarte explained:

“This is the absolute timestamp of the yellow.

“That is a screenshot of where the 48 is. It doesn’t look that close live. But remember, there is a delay to the yellow lights. So it’s all electronic now.”

He added:

“I’m with you though,” the former crew chief said. “It’s like the shot clock. I want to see the backboard, you know, light up red and you know it’s either touching his fingers or the shot’s been released.

“Now it’s much harder when cars are going 100 plus miles an hour, but I agree with you, Jeff, in the interest of the fan, it would be clearer if it was obvious.”

Kligerman also reacted to the “heart-wrenching” moment whilst speaking to the media after the race. He explained, as previously reported by Newsweek Sports:

“Oh man. Oh my gosh. You’re kidding me. What? Ugh. I don’t know. I’ve seen enough from the TV side what that — the heart-wrench and gutted-ness these people go through when you’re in that moment. It’s part of the sport.

“It’s why people buy tickets. It’s why they watch on The CW. I’m thankful to be in the position to have had the opportunity in my life. I love this so much. I just really wanted to get to the next round. But it was not to be. We’ll go try and get a checkered flag in one of these next ones.”