What is the answer to the brainteaser? The one driving flag that stands out above others. The racing driver has information and command flags: black with an orange dot, blue with a diagonal yellow stripe, red, white, green. More symbols are prominently visible at the track – the US flag, the state flag, sponsor flags, direction flags. Some are well-recognized international symbols, joined through marketing to winning performances: Red Bull, Rolex, the Goodyear blimp, Coca-Cola, and many more.

There are many symbols throughout racing. Dropped only once, with just anticipation of its falling, it can bring a crowd to its feet. What is black and white all over and not read until the end? It is a universally recognized symbol for “racing” and “performance.” Its importance is absolutely critical to competition. I'll leave it to him to explain this interesting mystery. Paul Dickinson covers a topic that I hadn't previously put much thought into, but then wondered about. Time for a little history lesson, along with solving a mystery.

Download black and white checkered flag