The quickest solution to what appears to be a safety hazard for race fans would be to eliminate Daytona speedway's lower seating until a better catch fence system is developed.
I understand the importance of those seats, I've been courtside at an NBA game, you can hear the ball bouncing, the grunts and feel the intensity of the game, I'm sure the roar and the smells of the cars are a thrilling experience.
That's all good, but a fan should expect more than reasonable safety from an entertainment venue, anything less should be unacceptable to NASCAR.
If there is anything positive about this incident is the fact that NASCAR has always responded to safety concerns quickly and aggressively.
NASCAR will figure out how to build a better fence, you can count on that.
The sprint cup car are a living testament to NASCAR's commitment to safety, time and time again we see horrific crashes with drivers walking away unharmed. It is safe to say that NASCAR drivers are in THE SAFEST CARS IN ALL MOTOR-SPORTS.
Again folks, the reasonable quick fix would be to close the bottom section of the track or at least eliminate some rows and have a bigger buffer zone.
Needless to say our prayer are with all those folks tonight, God be with you.
As always this is a fans opinion and from what I understand everybody has one and I thank God for that.
Enough said.
Hannah Davis
Anne V
Cheerleader of the Week
SI's Best Preakness Photos
Comments (15) Add A Comment
Double fence is a good idea.. but I would add a bigger buffer zone...
asifyouknow
Total Comments (1921)
Maybe Nascar should look into how the drivers are blocking one another.. seems thats the main cause of these huge wrecks
WILD FAN
Total Comments (22910)
Blocking is part of the sport...you would have to change the sport...
asifyouknow
Total Comments (1921)
"...standing behind hay bails." I've done that. And it was in the '60. Not a good idea but it was cool at the time.
UncleHubie
Perris , CA
Total Comments (90)
Good idea about the buffer zone. The question is, 'just how big, or how many rows do you make it?' Float's idea about double fencing sounds good as well. After the Dan Weldon tragedy at Texas I read some ideas about backing up the fencing with some type of clear plexiglas. The combo of two catch fences, the second fence having plexiglas might be feasible.
I haven't read anything (yet) about what rows the injured spectators were in. I would think, although this 'old' guy has just two brain cells left, that information could be used in making some decisions. I'm sure they (NASCAR/Daytona) are crunching a lot of info as I type looking for the right and best solution.
UncleHubie
Perris , CA
Total Comments (90)
"...standing behind hay bails." I've done that. And it was in the '60. Not a good idea but it was cool at the time.
UncleHubie
Perris , CA
Total Comments (90)
a plexiglass behind the fence is a good idea.It doesn't block the view and would stop all flyin debris, or at least most of it.
Luvdatracin
Total Comments (419)
The only problem with that is the car got airborne into the fence from a secondary hit from another driver. Same with Carl a few years back. He got airborne after a second hit-he bounced off Newman's car.
Luvdatracin
Total Comments (419)
There is real simple fix to this.
Luvdatracin
Total Comments (419)
The only problem with that is the car got airborne into the fence from a secondary hit from another driver. Same with Carl a few years back. He got airborne after a second hit-he bounced off Newman's car.
Luvdatracin
Total Comments (419)
meant to say NO as in there is no real simple fix to this.
I think FN is haunted. I did comment #10,got booted out, came back, did #11, then #10 gets repeated, at different times. weird.
Luvdatracin
Total Comments (419)
Plexiglass will not let the air go through, it will cause turbulance in the section..you realy have problems there...I'm no engeneer....
asifyouknow
Total Comments (1921)
I was thinking that plexiglass might be a good idea, but a few others, with more knowledge about that, have pointed out that it can shatter and turn into sharp edged projectiles in itself......so that is not a viable solution.
Very challenging situation to fix.
LittleE~BigMT fan
Total Comments (4212)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.