“Gentlemen, start your engines.”

As long as there has been NASCAR, that phrase been used to kick off each race.

But it could be time for a change.

With increasing frequency, NASCAR drivers, particularly those in its premier Winston Cup division, are ignoring a long-standing unwritten rule in the sport — a “gentleman’s agreement” not to race back to the caution flag.

Sometimes it has been for position on the track, other times to keep lapped cars from getting their laps back.

Robby Gordon’s pass under yellow of his Richard Childress Racing teammate Kevin Harvick last weekend at Sonoma, Calif., is the most recent example.

Gordon went on to win the race.

The alarming rate at which the unwritten rule is being ignored for personal gain prompts the question of whether any gentlemen remain in NASCAR.

“Passing under the caution is a bad deal, but on the other side of it, you can gain a spot. You can win a race because of it,” said driver Jimmy Spencer.

Robby Gordon is sprayed with champagne after winning the Dodge/Save Mart 350 at the Infineon Raceway.

“You win a Winston Cup race and you’re set. Your sponsor is set for the rest of the year. The pressure is off. A lot of things put pressure on everybody.”

That pressure may lead drivers to say one thing but do another, Spencer said.

“I think the pressure of the sport has caused drivers to say, ‘I agree, there is a gentleman’s agreement.’ We put our helmet on, we get in the car and say, ‘To hell with the gentleman’s agreement.’ We try to gain everything we can.’

“It’s not NASCAR’s fault. It’s the drivers’ fault.”

NASCAR so far has stayed out of the fray, pointedly reminding drivers of the gentleman’s agreement in pre-race drivers meetings, but electing not to penalize those who violate it.

Harvick at first declined to address the pass Sunday after the race, but a day later issued a statement chastising his teammate for a lack of respect.

So what’s the big deal about violating a rule that isn’t even technically a rule? Let Harvick explain:

“It’s not safe to race back to the caution. If you come up on somebody that has blown a motor going into Turn 3 and you’re going into Turn 1 and have to worry about holding a guy off, it’s just not safe,” he said.

“You have to think about the other competitors as well as the safety crews that are there to do a job. Racing is meant to be done under green.”

Several drivers think it’s time to codify the “gentleman’s agreement” where it can be enforced with penalties.

“I understand why the gentleman’s agreement is in place but I wonder if it hasn’t outlived itself. Do we really need something like that, or is it not time to take it one step further?” said driver Ken Schrader.

“Every other rule we have is in black and white in the rule book, so why not this one? I just think we need to take this to that point.”

Others say the problem lies with drivers electing to take advantage of what could be a dangerous situation.

“We can be reasonable people. We act like we are, and we ought to be on the race track,” said driver John Andretti. “I think anytime you steal something from someone, that’s wrong. If it’s the end of the race, and it’s for position, yeah, you have to race back. Everyone understands that, too.

“Do you do it at the risk of hurting someone else? That’s a judgment call and one that NASCAR has to make.”

Spencer said it is likely any other driver would have made the same pass of Harvick, especially if a race win was the likely outcome.

“I don’t blame Robby for what he did. He ended up winning the race, and I credit him for it. We can all point fingers at him and stuff like that, but always put the shoe on the other side,” he said.

“If Jeff Gordon could have done it, he would have done it. To me, I would do it if I got the opportunity.”