Knowing DD from the driver/ official side, it sound like Dave went overboard with his reaction with the penalty. Not trying throw DD under the bus but, there problay was a little bit more than just assesing the penalty (to the tail) for DD.

As far as the hot laping under caution, as pushtruck (Joe) stated and is praticed with most sancitioing bodies (sprint cars). It's very simple to get a hot lap with out endangering folks and all the drivers on the same page. While using a pace vehicle the drivers "lag behind" the pace vehicle. After everyone has been pushed and the track is clear the starter and track official "call for the line up". The drivers "hustle" to line up. That way the competitors get a "quick hot lap session" and have an idea of what the car/ track might do in that event. If a driver "drags his feet" in lining up, "sucks to be them" and go racing without them.

This process has been very effective from an admiastration and saftey stand point. It put everybody on the same page. As I have said many time during drivers meetings I' ve conducted "You don't suprise us, we won't suprise you!"

Bill Shipman