Cautions? Not so much this NASCAR season

The 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season had a significant decrease in the number of cautions compared to the previous three seasons.

There were 216 cautions during the 36-race Cup series season. There were 305 cautions in the 2009 season, 265 in 2010 and 278 last season.

Some additional caution statistics provided by Darnell Communications:

Most Cautions in a Race
2012 – 14 (Kansas 2)
2011 – 18 (Martinsville 2)
2010 – 15 (Martinsville 2)
2009 – 17 (Darlington)

Fewest Cautions in a Race
2012 – 1 (Fontana)
2011 – 3 (New Hampshire 2)
2010 – 3 (Richmond 2)
2009 – 3 (Michigan 1, Indianapolis)

Most Caution Laps in a Race
2012 – 87 (Bristol 2)
2011 – 108 (Martinsville 2)
2010 – 103 (Bristol 2)
2009 – 73 (Martinsville 1)

Most Miles Under Caution
2012 – 105.000 (Daytona 1)
2011 – 150.000 (Daytona 1)
2010 – 100.000 (Daytona 1)
2009 – 99.718 (Darlington)

Races Extended Due to Caution
2012 – 10
2011 – 7
2010 – 7
2009 – 5

Races Shortened Due To Weather
2012 – 2
2011 – 0
2010 – 0
2009 – 3