A Visual Guide to NASCAR Flags

Green Flag The green flag signals the beginning or resumption of competition. During qualifying it indicates to the driver his qualifying laps have begun. It is also displayed at the beginning of pit road to indicate the pits are open.
White Flag A white flag is displayed when there is only one more lap to go until the race conclusion. If a caution comes out after the white flag is displayed, the race is concluded.
Yellow Flag A yellow flag indicates there is a hazard on the race track and all drivers must slow down and line up behind the pace car.  Typically this flag is waved when there has been an accident or when debris is spotted on the racing surface.
Red Flag The red flag indicates that all competition must immediately come to a halt. This includes the drivers on the race track, all pit crews servicing cars on pit road, and/or all pit crew members repairing cars in the garage.
Black Flag The black flag is officially called the consultation Flag and means that the driver who receives it must come down pit road to respond to a NASCAR concern.  A penalty is usually given to a driver that has been black flagged.
Blue Flag A solid blue flag is used to warn drivers of hard to see problems, such a car car spun out around a curve, etc, but the race remains under green-flag conditions. This flag is only used on road courses.
Green Checkered Flag The green checkered flag indicates to the drivers the current stage has reached its conclusion.
Checker Flag The checker flag means the race has been completed and each car will be scored when it passes the start-finish line. During qualifying it is used to show a driver his qualifying attempt is complete.
Blue Flag with Orange Diagonal This flag is displayed to a car, or group of cars, to let them know that the leaders are coming up behind them.Lapped cars should be courteous and move over to let the lead lap cars race. (This flag is optional).
Black Cross Flag When a driver does not pit within five laps of receiving a black flag, they will be shown the black cross flag indicating they are no longer being scored by NASCAR.
Yellow Flag with Red Stripes The yellow and red flag is another flag that indicates that there is debris on the track. This flag is only used on road courses.
Red Flag With Yellow Cross The red flag with a yellow cross is shown at the entrance of pit road to indicate the pits are closed. When all the cars have lined up behind the pace car, pit road opens and the flag is withdrawn.
Red & Black Flags The red and black flags together indicate to the drivers the practice session or qualifying has ended.
Green White Flags The green checker flag, along with the white flag, indicates a caution has occurred within the final two laps of a race. When the caution is cleared, a green flag will restart race for a two-lap run to the finish.
Checker Yellow Flags The checker flag, along with the yellow flag, indicates a caution has occurred on the final lap of a race and the race will conclude under caution.
Crossed Checkered Flags The flagman displays two crossed checker flags to indicate to the drivers the race has reached it's halfway point.