Bristol Motor Speedway extends length of SAFER barriers
With Bristol Motor Speedway extending the length of its SAFER barrier in turns 2 and 4, drivers might find it more difficult to run three abreast at the popular track this year. // Jim Fluharty, NASCAR Illustrated
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Bristol Motor Speedway officials have announced the addition of more than 160 feet of SAFER barriers lining the outside wall at the popular half-mile track.
Track operations personnel extended SAFER (Steel And Foam Energy Reduction) barriers at the exits of Turns 2 and 4. Work began last week and will be completed before NASCAR teams arrive for the Food City 500 weekend, scheduled for March 19-21.
“We believe with these modifications, we will not only increase driver safety, but will also create a different transition at the exit of the turns,” said Jeff Byrd, BMS President and General Manager. “While we don’t know exactly how this will impact the racing, the more confined racing area should create less elbow room and tighten up the racing groove at those points.”
A deteriorating track surface forced officials to put down a fresh layer of concrete in the summer of 2007, and an additional four feet of width to the racing groove was part of the change. The modifications will eliminate some of that added room.
“Without question, this extra four feet added room and aided in creating three and, at times, even four-wide racing,” Byrd said. “However, while it is breathtaking, many of our fans have responded that we went too far, in actuality, giving too much racing room to the greatest drivers in the world.”
Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch swept both NASCAR Sprint Cup events at the track in 2009.
