Lincoln Speedway, an iconic Central Pennsylvania dirt track, will do away with a physical flagger/starter and will instead utilize a virtual flagman for the 2024 season.
The system will be in place for the season opening Ice Breaker on February 24-25.
According to a press release issued on Wednesday, the track will use a state-of-the-art system that will make use of lightning and message boards around the track to alert drivers and fans of important situations on the racing surface.
The system will be operated by officials in the scoring tower.
In lieu of a physical flagger standing above the start-finish line, the track will make use of an additional worker who are spread across the corners and frontstretch. Lincoln Speedway officials believe they have maximized on-track safety and that on the official who previously occupied the stand.
“The safety of the drivers and officials is our number one priority and putting this system in place continues our efforts towards that goal,” said Lincoln Speedway General Manager, Jerry Parrish.
“When you take a step back and look at it, we are removing two individuals from a hazardous environment that were an extension of the scoring tower. We are modernizing a system that was already in place. Lincoln was the first track in Central PA to utilize a Jumbotron and now other tracks have them and the World of Outlaws bring one on their tour. We are always looking at opportunities to bring innovation to a sport that has been slow to take on change.”
Despite the immediate implementation, a flagger will remain in the stand to begin the season in case the need arises to debug the new system.
The Ice Breaker features the first 410 Sprint Car event of the season within the region, a popular hotbed for the discipline.
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.