NASCAR wants PIR to improve wall
By Bob Pockrass
Sunday, November 11, 2007
AVONDALE, Ariz. - NASCAR has asked International Speedway Corp. to come up with a plan to improve the inside retaining wall on the frontstretch after an accident Friday night during the Casino Arizona 150 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Andy Lally's truck smashed into the wall, virtually breaking it in half, leaving concrete pieces on the track but the rebar remained in tact. The race was stopped for 16 minutes as NASCAR put a temporary barrier behind the wall for the rest of the race. Track workers then welded steel plates into the back of the wall before Nextel Cup practice today.
"We've talked to ISC about the wall and about looking into improving or replacing it if necessary," said NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston, who did not put a timetable on the possible improvements. "We don't like to see walls break."
Lally suffered no broken bones in the accident, but did suffer a big gash in his left arm, which required stitches. It is not clear what caused the gash.
