And here we have it...another example of when rules/procedures/expectations...whatever you call it are not adhered to!!!
A front row going 45mph in 2nd gear who never get the green flag are still going 45mph! A properly and tightly bunched 2 by 2 start can not go anywhere until the car in front moves. Even if they have a radio and can not see starter...they should never get a green flag call!!!
Ron and Rob ... Yeah, that all sounds peachy to blame the pole sitter ... if everyone behind him does what they are supposed to do as well. Also a lot easier when you have smaller fields. This also depends on the track you are at. For example:
At Sebring, when you have 70 cars taking the green, the middle of the field and back are still in T17 or just after when the green comes out and you are behind the walkover bridge, you cant really see the starter. So, what happens if the leader doesn't start rolling into the power before the green comes out? 10 rows and back are already accelerating before the front row carrying more speed than the front pack down the straightaway. There is a good 5-10 mph difference going down the straight and into turn 1 and you have mid pack guys in the front pack of the field where they don't belong. It happens almost every start. If the leaders are already rolling into the power at the walkover bridge before the green comes out, this issue never occurs because we are all going the same speed.
At Daytona, it is the opposite because everyone can see the green and all of the stewards in the tower can see any drivers doing anything wrong on the start. Last race at Daytona with 50+ cars, I was the pole sitter and I didn't start the race. The cars behind me did. Both starts i was bumped pretty solid from the car in the second row who were already under power before the green came out.
My point, it is not necessarily the pole sitters fault, and sometimes if the pole sitter is still going pace car speed before the green flag drops can cause more issues.