NASCAR Cup Series drivers have been issued a stern black flag warning ahead of Sunday's race at Talladega Superspeedway.
The YellaWood 500 sees the playoffs continue, with this the penultimate race in the Round of 8 ahead of next weekend's elimination race at Martinsville.
With today's action being at a superspeedway, there are even more factors for the NASCAR drivers to contend with, one of which is the 'double yellow line rule' - a safety measure introduced at such tracks in 2001.
NASCAR officials warn drivers
Given it is a safety rule, breaking it will carry a serious penalty, too, with Cup Series stars warned in their drivers' meeting ahead of this weekend's event that they will be black-flagged if they make any sort of infraction in this regard.
A video played to the drivers in the meeting, as shared by FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass, read: "This is your warning. Race above the double yellow line.
"If, in NASCAR's judgment, you go below the double yellow line to improve your position, you will be black flagged.
"If, in NASCAR's judgment, you force someone below the double yellow line, in an effort to stop them from passing you, you may be black flagged."
What is a black flag in NASCAR?
When a driver is shown a black flag, they must leave the track immediately and head to pit road.
Typically, this will be because NASCAR officials have determined that the driver shown the flag has committed an on-track offense.
In other cases, the black flag may be shown where the driver cannot maintain a consistent and competitive speed to continue racing.
The black flag has also been termed as a 'consultation flag', as when shown, the driver and his team will meet with a NASCAR official in the pits to determine what the infraction was and whether or not there will be a resulting penalty.
