General Discussion » Toyota recall includes 3.8 million cars sold in the USA
November 2, 2009 General Motors is recalling all models because of a problem with plastic supply and return ports on the modular reservoir assembly. The ...
Talladega, Daytona raising height of catch fences to enhance safety at tracks
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards bounces off the fence during the Aaron's 499 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in April at Talladega Superspeedway.
David Griffin
NASCAR Scene
Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway are raising the height of their catch fences from 14 feet to 22 feet after analyzing their safety barriers following the accident that sent Carl Edwards flying into the Talladega fence in April.
Talladega will get the frontstretch portion of its fence completed before its Oct. 30-Nov. 1 race weekend and will do the backstretch during the offseason. Daytona, which has no more NASCAR races this year, will complete its new fence on both the frontstretch and backstretch by mid-January.
“It was pretty obvious that day that the fence that was there did its job,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey of the Edwards incident. “We said we would have someone look at, evaluate and see if any recommendations or anything needed to be done to ... enhance what was in place.
“We did that. Our company hired an outside engineering firm, and they came back with some recommendations. And we’ve taken them up on those recommendations.”
Other enhancements have been made to the fences at other tracks owned by International Speedway Corp., the parent company of both Talladega and Daytona, but neither Humphrey nor DIS President Robin Braig would go into more details.
The Edwards accident occurred on the final lap of the Cup race when he was hit while attempting to block Phoenix Racing’s Brad Keselowski and then, while already slightly airborne from the contact with Keselowski, was nailed by Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Newman. Edwards’ Roush Fenway Racing car was kept out of the stands and ripped apart by the catch fence, which was made of a steel mesh and cables. Eight people were treated for injuries, according to track officials, and one woman suffered a face laceration and broken jaw after getting hit by debris off Edwards’ car or a piece of the fence.
Edwards was uninjured in the accident.
“I was watching from home, and [the crash] was breath-taking,” Braig said. “I was terrified when I saw it. After seeing [Geoff] Bodine’s Truck incident here [in 1999] … that’s what came to my mind: 'How did everything hold up, and did anyone get injured?'
“I was extremely concerned and glad to know that the system worked and everybody eventually was OK.”
ISC spokesman Lenny Santiago would not disclose how much money the new fencing cost. He said so far, only Daytona and Talladega fences are being changed. Daytona and Talladega share similar configurations and are the only two tracks where cars have restrictor plates put on the carburetor to restrict air flow and limit speeds. They decrease the chances of a car getting airborne but also result in the cars racing in tight packs two or three wide.
“Whenever we have an incident that impacts any of our systems, we take that opportunity to more closely scrutinize it and look at it across the company,” Santiago said. “Whatever we learn in these analyses, we’ll look and see where it can be applied to other tracks.
“The challenge is each track is different in terms of banking and speed, so our primary focus right now was on Talladega and Daytona.”
Humphrey and Braig said they did not believe the new fencing would significantly impact the sightlines of the drivers.
“The fabric, the mesh is the same size we had before, so their viewing will not be obstructed,” Braig said.
Mentioned Drivers: Carl Edwards
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
Popular News
-
Championship battle may not be tight, but Chase still has some intrigue
Comments (79) -
Kyle Busch would consider Nationwide title his biggest achievement in NASCAR
Comments (70) -
Denny Hamlin vows to retaliate against Brad Keselowski
Comments (70) -
Jeff Gluck: Brad Keselowski's aggressive style should be embraced, not criticized
Comments (53) -
Jimmie Johnson's Texas trouble reignites NASCAR Sprint Cup championship battle
Comments (48)
Recent Headlines
-
Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards spins, leads final Nationwide practice
Post Comment -
Colin Braun wins Truck pole for season finale
Post Comment -
Denny Hamlin to have minor knee surgery Wednesday
Post Comment -
Jimmie Johnson snags pole for Ford 400 at Homestead
Comments (5) -
Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 'Hopefully next year will be better'
Comments (5)
Poll PositionView All
Which has been most detrimental to NASCAR television ratings and attendance this season?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
-
Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.
Comments
16 responses to "Talladega, Daytona raising height of catch fences to enhance safety at tracks". Post a Comment.
Count_Culo said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 2:59 PMHow about we raise them to 40 ft and take the plates off!!!
Report as AbuseCC
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportarttidesco said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 3:55 PMAs someone who was sitting ten rows back from the fence at the time of Carl's accident albeit 1/2 a mile from the finish line I am glad to hear lessons have been learned from the unfortunate chain of events that led to several of my fellow spectators getting hurt.
Report as AbuseI hope said spectators have all made a full recovery, I will really miss not being at the next 'dega race due to circumstances beyond my immediate control.
Report Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportMeg said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 4:00 PMJust wondering if it's annoying or distracting to see a race through those catch fences ?
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportdale said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 4:48 PMSlight error in the article. Carl did not get hit by Brad, Carl came down on Brad when trying to block. Brad was already there.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportpapaof4ncrc said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:05 PMRemember the words of Smokey Yunick years ago saying that the fans were sitting on the wrong side of the fence at super speedways.As he said it was a matter of physics,and always was worried of cars going into the stands.One thing they could do is quit attaching speakers and other junk to the fence so it doesn't fly off during the impact,watch the video again.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportipopakeg293388 said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:19 PMMEG! It will ruin the race! It's like looking through chicken wire at the T.V. SAME THING! Even though the ticket's were free,you still can't help, slowly turning your head toward the person,with this evil glare in your eye's!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportAndi said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:27 PMI don't like the fence when I was at the race, though if your down that far closer to the track you can't really see the whole track just what's in front of you and to the side of you. But I was talking to some people who get front row seats at Richmond and they love it. They don't care about the fence. Though if the fence wasn't there, they said they wouldn't sit that close. So...I think it just depends on the person. I know, this is about Daytona and Dega, but all race tracks have fences.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportSTP43FAN said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 5:36 PM#1 - the speeds are the problem, not the fencing. Smokey Yunick could say otherwise until he was blue in the face but the fact is the speeds have to stay down. What should have been done is mandate a smaller restrictor plate.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportbthompson133 said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 6:13 PMas the article said ,the plates are the problem! get rid of the plates and reduce speed via gear ratios so it won't be "pack racing". the racing would be much better due to the return of trottle response, witch drivers have asked for!!!!!!!!!!
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportpapaof4ncrc said:
Oct 6, 2009 at 7:00 PMThe biggest problem with these tracks is niether the fence,the plates,the speeds.It lays in the drivers hands.If Carl had not tried to throw the block the fence would still be the way it was for that race.The drivers all complain,but they hold the accidents in thier own hands.Like Allison says take the plates off and you'll still have the packs just at higher speeds.To many competitive cars today compared what used to be.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportnascarnutsheeler said:
Oct 7, 2009 at 12:11 AMResrictor plate tracks are going to kill someone some day unless there is more drastic measures taken than raising the fence.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportb48orr said:
Oct 7, 2009 at 7:52 AMYou dont have to worry about this race. Nascar is telling drivers not to race the chase drivers hard. Nascar is going to start the 12 chase drivers a 3/4 lap ahead of the rest of the field in a pack, and they wont race each other at all till the last lap and even then they will all be very careful not to wreck each other. So this Dega race is going to be safe for everyone involved as Nascar does'nt want hard racing. A bunch of panty waists. So save the money on the fence.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Reportgrumpyjim52 said:
Oct 7, 2009 at 9:03 AM#3 MEG, you still see the lions and tigers through the cage at the circus, when the act is playing out. Same thing here, only the speakers are a distraction, and block the view somewhat.
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportJrNation_re-tards said:
Oct 7, 2009 at 1:38 PMactually carl barely even moved down when he came down...brad dumped him...carl even made a comment about how he barely even came down...krash, well...krash nuff said...lol
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportMeg said:
Oct 7, 2009 at 2:25 PMI bet you are right, IPOP & Andi... Grumpy, sorry but I just couldn't watch those lions and tigers for 3 or 4 hrs though the fence...
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportMeg said:
Oct 7, 2009 at 2:27 PMb48orr #12 - ROTF..........
Report as AbuseReport Abuse
This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report