Crashes are always a risk in NASCAR racing; auto racing is an inherently dangerous sport, after all. While everyone acknowledges this risk; it isn't at all uncommon for there to be at least one crash in any given NASCAR race. Some NASCAR racetracks are notoriously dangerous, with there being an uncommonly high incidence of crashes, even fatal ones at these venues. While some enjoy the sport despite the risk of accidents, others are actually drawn to NASCAR at least in part because of the crashes.
As has always been the case in auto racing of any sort, there are a significant number of fans who are in it for the crashes. They thrill to the speed and the crashes and near-crashes; it's a drama which keeps them on the edge of their seats. However, crashes aren't actually a good thing for NASCAR's popularity over the long run - crashes can and have lead to the deaths of drivers and even fans.
The last decade has seen NASCAR putting a number of safety measures into place designed to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from the sport. The impetus for these safety procedures was the death of Dale Earnhardt, the biggest name in the sport at that time. It was this tragedy which spurred the organization to make new and improved head and neck stabilizers mandatory equipment for drivers, increase the padding used on the walls of courses and even redesign the cars used in NASCAR racing to be safer.
Change, naturally takes some time to adjust to - and when this change has to do with redesigned vehicles for NASCAR racing, time is exactly what the drivers can least afford. It's important to keep in mind that the majority of these drivers have spent their whole career in the sport on one type of car - and that auto racing is not an ideal environment for on the job training. The high speeds and crowded tracks of a NASCAR event mean that a single mistake can have disastrous consequences.
This is not to say that the added safety requirements put into place by NASCAR were not necessary; they were and are needed. However, there is still much work to be done to make the sport a safer one for drivers and spectators alike. Some drivers have opined that while improvements have been made, there are still many tragedies waiting to happen at many NASCAR racetracks and that the organization should take a proactive stance rather than waiting for another death before taking action.
At a recent race in NASCAR a car flipped over and went flying into the fence separating the stands from the track. While the car didn't end up in the stands, it came perilously close, and debris that went into the stands injured many. The images were shocking at how close the car was to taking out entire rows of spectators.
None of these incidents have done much, if anything to make NASCAR racing less popular. Fans still eagerly line up to see every race (and some to be close to the crashes). However, NASCAR would be well advised to implement additional safety measures - there have already been some narrow escapes and one catastrophic event could be all it takes to plunge the sport into a decline from which it may not recover. Some NASCAR fans may love to see a crash; but drivers and fans shouldn't have to risk injury or death to give these fans what they love. - 16887
As has always been the case in auto racing of any sort, there are a significant number of fans who are in it for the crashes. They thrill to the speed and the crashes and near-crashes; it's a drama which keeps them on the edge of their seats. However, crashes aren't actually a good thing for NASCAR's popularity over the long run - crashes can and have lead to the deaths of drivers and even fans.
The last decade has seen NASCAR putting a number of safety measures into place designed to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from the sport. The impetus for these safety procedures was the death of Dale Earnhardt, the biggest name in the sport at that time. It was this tragedy which spurred the organization to make new and improved head and neck stabilizers mandatory equipment for drivers, increase the padding used on the walls of courses and even redesign the cars used in NASCAR racing to be safer.
Change, naturally takes some time to adjust to - and when this change has to do with redesigned vehicles for NASCAR racing, time is exactly what the drivers can least afford. It's important to keep in mind that the majority of these drivers have spent their whole career in the sport on one type of car - and that auto racing is not an ideal environment for on the job training. The high speeds and crowded tracks of a NASCAR event mean that a single mistake can have disastrous consequences.
This is not to say that the added safety requirements put into place by NASCAR were not necessary; they were and are needed. However, there is still much work to be done to make the sport a safer one for drivers and spectators alike. Some drivers have opined that while improvements have been made, there are still many tragedies waiting to happen at many NASCAR racetracks and that the organization should take a proactive stance rather than waiting for another death before taking action.
At a recent race in NASCAR a car flipped over and went flying into the fence separating the stands from the track. While the car didn't end up in the stands, it came perilously close, and debris that went into the stands injured many. The images were shocking at how close the car was to taking out entire rows of spectators.
None of these incidents have done much, if anything to make NASCAR racing less popular. Fans still eagerly line up to see every race (and some to be close to the crashes). However, NASCAR would be well advised to implement additional safety measures - there have already been some narrow escapes and one catastrophic event could be all it takes to plunge the sport into a decline from which it may not recover. Some NASCAR fans may love to see a crash; but drivers and fans shouldn't have to risk injury or death to give these fans what they love. - 16887
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