NASCAR Safety Evolves
The Number One Rule of NASCAR is Safety for Fans, Drivers and Crew
Mar 6, 2009
NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) enforces numerous rules and strategies for safety purposes that cover all races during the season. Although rule books are published exclusively for NASCAR members, many of the rules and safety strategies have been published by NASCAR and the media.
NASCAR Safety
After Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was killed in a racing accident on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500, NASCAR rules for safety were mandatory rather than suggested. Thanks to the added safety at tracks, like the “Safer Barriers” installed along outside walls of the race track, no driver has been killed on the track since 2002 in any of the three major series. When driver Jeff Gordon was injured hitting the inside wall in the 2008 racing season, safer barriers were installed on the inside walls of some tracks.
Special seat beltsand harnesses, known as the HANS device is mandatory equipment in every car. While the HANS device is an added safety for the driver it limits the ability to see from the cockpit of the car. Only interior rear-view mirrors are allowed on the car so spotters helps a driver with side and rear “blind spot” information. The spotter relays information about cars in these blind spots to the driver via two-way radio, advises the driver on navigating track-obstructing crashes and relays messages from one driver to another.
Restrictor plateswere installed for two high-banked superspeedways (Daytona and Talladega). Restrictor plates will not allow the racecar to exceed certain speeds, usually less than 200 mph. Test runs at Talladega in a car without restrictor plates ran at top speeds near 230 mph. Races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway are run without restrictor plates and speeds run in excess of 200 mph.
Roof flapswere introduced to the cars in 1994. Penske Racing designed the original roof flaps which prevent a car becoming airborne and flipping down the track. Two flaps on the roof of the vehicle will deploy if the car spins, which eliminates most of the lift on the vehicle and keeps the car on the ground.
Pit roadsafety has been a major focus of NASCAR rules. In 1991 the current policy of pit road speed limits was enforced and varies from track to track. The cars are not equipped with speedometers and the crew chief tells the driver the tachometer reading to match the pit speed during entry and exit from pit road. New rules may be established during a season if deemed necessary to enhance safety.
NASCAR Strategies
Each car is inspected before a race to ensure that the car does not violate safety rules and other regulations. After the race, the top five finishing cars will be re-inspected. With the introduction of the Car of Today, the bodies of the cars are similar, with each team having different engines and setups.
Team Strategies
Wall crews are required to wear helmets, full fire suits and gloves. A Crew Chief makes changes based on the conditions of the track, conditions of the car and tires, recommendations from the driver, scheduling pit stops, changing tires, (2 or 4), keeping track of gas mileage, track positioning and coordinating with the spotter for drafting help.
Above all, the experience and knowledge of the driver makes the largest contribution today for winning a race.....and Lady Luck!
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