Norman, I don't understand your response re: a straight track.

Yes, I was thinking about an oval track when I posted my reply - actually I was watching the NASCAR race at the time.

On a straight track when the participants have established an order so that one can be determined to be in last place all of the other contenders are accounted for and are in front of him (or her, as the case may be) and there are no legitimate contenders behind him. Anyone passing him then must be a non-participant and would have no standing in the race and would not be assigned a "place" in the race.

Thinking along the lines of, say, a marathon race any number of people could pass any of the racers at any given time - photographers, emergency personnel, coaches, spectators, etc. - but they don't figure into the race standings.

Am I missing something here???

George