Sports

NASCAR Star Slams Track’s Safety Measures After Slamming The Wall During Crash

#NASCAR
by Last Updated

Getty Image


Since the tragic death of legendary driver Dale Earnhardt in 2001, NASCAR has gone above and beyond to improve the safety of its sport.

The movement has been immensely successful, as no driver has died while competing in or in preparation for a NASCAR sanctioned event since Earnhardt.

But that doesn’t mean the series isn’t still learning.

Two of the biggest safety features that the series has implemented in the last two decades are the mandatory HANS (Head and Neck Support) device and the SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barrier.

The first is a device that supports the driver inside the car. The second, however, is a wall that is installed by tracks. The wall consists of several foam blocks that compress when a driver makes contact. The blocks absorb energy and make for a less violent collision.

Every oval track that NASCAR races on has SAFER barriers installed. But, crucially, the barriers are not everywhere around all tracks.

NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney learned that the hard way at Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday night.

The rising star was involved in a crash late in Sunday night’s race and slammed nose first into a concrete wall. Thankfully, he was able to exit the car under his own power.

But Blaney said afterward that it was the “hardest hit I’ve ever had of my life.”

He then went on to slam the track for not having SAFER barriers all around, even going as far as offering to finance it himself.

“I don’t know why there’s no SAFER barrier there. That’s pretty ridiculous, honestly,” he said. “Hardest hit I’ve ever had in my life.

“…I’m sure they’ll put one on it after this. You know, it sucks that things like that have to happen, have someone hit a wall head on like that and then you’re like ‘oh, we’ll put a SAFER barrier on it now.’ It’s like, why are you not doing the whole track? I’ll pay for the f****** thing to get put on there. It’s 30 feet.”

Fans were in full agreement with Blaney.

NASCAR issued a statement on the crash following the race.

“NASCAR safety engineers work closely with safety experts on the implementation of barriers around the track,” the series said. “As we do following every race weekend, we will evaluate all available data and make any necessary improvements.”