Earnhardt’s Legacy Lives on Through Safety Improvements in NASCAR

Who would have thought that The Intimidator could make things, well, less intimidating? Eleven years after his tragic death in the fourth turn at Daytona, Dale Earnhardt’s legacy still lives on through the numerous safety improvements implicated within NASCAR, as witnessed this week at the very track that took his life back in 2001. Through the vicious crashes that marred Thursday’s Gatorade Duels and last night’s Camping World Truck Series race, it is evident that NASCAR is much safer than it was just a few short years ago.

Granted, Dale Sr.’s death wasn’t the first of its kind in NASCAR, but it was the latest in a string of racing related deaths that forced the sport to radically change its safety practices. Through implications of the HANS device, SAFER barriers, carbon fiber seats, and the innovation of the “new” car, the drivers involved in those massive wrecks were able to walk away without harm.  In fact, after flipping his truck violently against the catch fence at the end of last night’s race, Joey Coulter bowed to the crowd before hopping into the ambulance for the mandatory ride to the infield care center. He later had this to say via twitter:

“@joeycoulter: Well that’s what I call a wild ride! Just so you know I’m ok no pain anywhere thanks for watching tonight great job by the @RCR22JCoulter guys”

Coulter’s wreck was the latest of the ones seen this week, and there are still two more races left of Daytona Speedweeks.  Thursday saw Danica Patrick careen into the inside wall on the backstretch on the last lap of the first Gatorade Duel, tearing her #10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet into pieces. She walked away and came back the next day to win the pole for today’s Drive4COPD 300. The pole sitter for last night’s NextEra Energy Resources 250, Miguel Paludo, slammed head-first into the inside wall in similar fashion to Patrick’s wreck, and after a few moments to catch his breath he was able to walk away. 

I’m not saying that NASCAR is completely safe, but if you look at the injury rates of its drivers compared to athletes in other sports, it is evident that NASCAR is doing everything in its power to keep both its competitors and spectators as safe as possible.  With the exception of Brad Keselowski’s crash during a test at Road Atlanta (which is not a NASCAR sanctioned track and doesn’t have the same safety features as those on the circuit), it seems as if the only driver injuries these days involve stepping on a Frisbee or playing basketball. Keeping injury rates that low while maintaining the high-level of competition is no easy task, which is why NASCAR is always seeking to improve the combination of the two.

If the past few days are any indicator of what to expect out of the final two races of the week, watch out for anyone and everyone. NASCAR Nation is in for a treat.

CHECKERS: Without a doubt, it goes to NASCAR and all the safety improvements they’ve made throughout the years.

WRECKERS: Well… there were a lot of them the past few days, and I assume they’re not done yet. Expect to see a lot of them today and tomorrow.

NextEra Energy Resources 250

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Joey Coulter, driver of the #22 Mama Lucia Meatballs Chevrolet, flips in the air while James Buescher, driver of the #31 AccuDoc Solutions Chevrolet, spins on the final lap during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images