37 Comments on NASCAR Must Put Fan Safety First

kathie on


I believe what happened to Edwards on Sunday goes back to the last race at Talladega, when Smith’s win was taken away from him and given to Stewart. Biffle said the next day, that the result of that decision would be that instead of drivers continuing to drive clean, as Smith had done when Stewart forced him below the yellow, that the car being driven down would simply bump the aggressive driver out of the way, which is exactly what happened to Edwards. NASCAR says they “may” penalize aggressive driving in that situation, but never have, but they “will” and have penalized going under the yellow.

Smith thought that if he was in sight of the checkers, on the last lap, that it was okay to go below, especially given that he was forced there by Stewart. That was the rule, until a rookie did it last fall.

Had Smith been given the legitimate win he had earned, Edwards wreck would have been much less likely to have happened at all.

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Donna on


absolutely, safety first…everyone involved in sunday’s incidents were all very lucky they walked away with little or no injuries…nascar must do whatever is necessary to keep the fans, drivers, pit crew, and all others involved safe…whatever the cost may be.

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mamadew88 Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 11:12 am

Not only does Nascar need to do something to make for a safer race, but the racetrack owners need to maintain the racetrack themselves. When these racetracks are being built I’m sure they must pass safety inspections and guidlines, but are these inspections conducted on a yearly basis to insure the public’s safety?

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Joel Bailey on


If the heads of NASCAR would just use their heads they would do away with the yellow line
rule.If Brad Keselowski could’ve gone below it
without getting in trouble there would not
have been a wreck.

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robert harrison Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

if you get hurt like the eight people did who takes care of all the bill that might come in to get that person fixed up again?

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eric on


that is raceing! ( Dale Earnhardt famous word)

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Tom on


Maybe they need to move the grandstand back a little and put grass in front of the grandstand so that way it give more room to protect the people in the stand if there was ever an accident like this again. I know it a crazy idea to move the thing back, but they need to tear down the grandstand, put grass down and then build the grandstand behind the grass.
Something to think about.

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Mama Donia on


Safety has to be the most important thing. But like Earnhardt Sr. said, move the seats back and let everyone go racing. Nascar has put too many restrictions on everything in racing, like the yellow line, just to suit themselves. Lets get back to the STOCK CAR RACING, that made this sport what it is today. These COT’S don’t even look like a car really. When racing was at it’s best, the race cars came from showrooms at dealerships, like you and I drive every day. I think NASCAR has got too big for their britches and this today is not what Big Bill France, Sr. wanted it to be. If Dale Sr. was alive, he would raise cane about what is going on now. Brian France and them would have some visits in their offices.

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Patty on


I feel that the Fencing held up and did its job at keeping the fans safe. Yes, there were some injuries, but NO deaths. If that fence had not held up there would have been casualties, therefore, their safety feature of having that fence like it is worked. You are subject to injurty at almost every sporting event. Pucks flying into stands, Baseballs going foul or homeruns in the stands, players jumping into the stands or on fans.. there are many many ways to be injured and that is the risk you take in being a fan of a sporting event and attending it. This issue has nothing to do with the rules of Nascar nor did it have anything to do with Problems in safety at Talladega. I go to the Race in Talladega every year for the last race there of the season. I have been in those stands and sit just past where the wreck happened. I am not at least worried about being there this Oct./Nov. due to schedule change, I feel all safety measures have been taken and Proven with this last race because Carl Edwards was bounced back to the track not through and onto the fans!!!!

Come on people!!! IT IS CALLED RACING! lets not take every bit of challange out of it. If you want to see Drag racing then go there, Nascar Racing is all about bumping, grinding and making the right moves at the right time… If you want straight up, straight forward racing, then go to a strip! Leave Nascar out of your temper tantrums.

There was no failure of Nascar safety at this race!

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marcel Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 5:43 pm

I totally agree with you Patty, fans always must take a small risk

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Joe Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Patty, I echo your words 100%! I was about to post nearly identical comments what POWER went here for nearly an hour, I’m back on, read, and I ‘DITTO’ your words!
Racing, auto, boat, AIR (Reno Air Races), has it moments! Yes, the FENCE HELD, there were MINOR injuries, but NOTHING MAJOR!
The drivers, sponsors, crew, AND NASCAR, all accept the challenge, and associated danger with the sport, and do whatever they can to protect all.

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Vicky Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Patty, you put it all in the right format. I emphatically agree. I read on NASCAR.com that the “Officials” want less aggression. Excuse me, isn’t racing about agression. Take the double yellow lines away. You cut the horsepower and cut the width of the track, what do you expect?

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mamadew88 Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 11:16 am

Thanks Patty…I think the majority of people will agree with you….I do

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DARLENE on


ALL THE FANS ARE FINE,I LIVE HERE IN ALABAMA AND OUR LOCAL NEWS HAVE COVERED THE STORY AND HAVE UPDATED THE CONDITIONS OF ALL THAT WERE INJURED.THERE IS ONE PERSON STILL IN THE HOSPITAL RECOVERING FROM A BROKEN JAW.EVERYONE ELSE THAT WERE INVOLVED ARE FINE.THEY SAY SEVEN WERE INJURED BUT THEY HAVE NOT COMMENTED ON BUT THREE.ONE WITH THE BROKEN JAW,ANOTHER WITH A LACERATED LIP AND THE OTHER ONE WITH A HEALTH PROBLEM THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCIDENT OR RACING AT ALL.

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sherry on


I believe there has to be something done asap, When Carl said it will take someone getting killed to change the rules, he was talking about the spectators. Also seeing how his car went apart, I do not feel it is safe for the drivers to drive, they could hit an oil slick on a turn. It seems to me, this past few races, to many roll overs have happened. When they say all these items on the car prevent it. Well as we have seen, it doesn’t. I agree with Carl, if I had killed someone, it would be impossible to live with and his driveing days over. We know in the past this has happened at alot of race in the last 20 or 30 years.
I have to admit, I would not want to sit up front again ever. Its not worth the risk. I think the grass is a good idea, very good, so take out a few rolls and make that fence stronger, its the fence that hurt these people, not Crals parts of his carl. I do know he said he was afraid to move until he checked that he had nothing sticking in him from that fence.
I was very upset that they had that area that was not the safety barrier, did they not learn from Jeffs wreck in Vegas. Every track, all the way around should have this. FOr the sake of all drivers lives.
They don’t think a womans vroken jaw is serious? Have you ever had one? Its very serious….I would sure Nascar in an instant for that.She has to have her mouth wired shut for 6 to eight weeks and it probably took some teeth out and hurt her tongue. She will be going thru therapy for a few months to learn to talk again right. What else do we not know that happened, they did say a few others had broken bones, that is serious………Nascar is getting way to big with its do and don’ts to the drivers, lets take care of the peoples safety now.

JMHO

Sherry in Texas

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Greg Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pm

Sherry we are all glad that no one died. Thank God for that. But you sound like one of those people that would like to have been setting up there where the car hit the fence so you might get something out of NASCAR. As others have said anytime you go to a sporting event you take a chance, and quite frankly the biggest chance is between home and the event, not at the event itself. NASCAR will do whats right with the safty.My consern is they will over do it. Leave them alone.

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DARLENE on


BY THE WAY,ALL THOSE THAT SAY OH NASCAR HAS TO DO SOMETHING,OR CARL EDWARDS SAYING SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED.IF YOU LOOK AT THOSE HIGHLIGHTS ONE MORE TIME YOU WILL SEE WHEN THE CAR CAME TOWARDS THE FENCE ALL THE FANS WERE CHEERING AND MOVING TOWARDS THE FENCE.SO LETS GIVE NASCAR A BREAK AND LET IT GO.YOU CAN BET YOUR BUTT OUT OF THE 180,000 FANS THERE NOT ONE SAID IT WASNT THE MOST EXCITING RACE OF THE YEAR.GO DALE JUNIOR!

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willy on


First of all every fan knows the risk when they buy the ticket. You show me one fan that wants to see a race with no wrecks. Noone including the drivers wants anyone hurt. When they move the seats or put grass in, then everyone’s going to say im not paying that much for a ticket to sit way back there. If i was hit by a piece of carls car i would say s— that was awsome, i guess i got my money’s worth, then next race sit a seat back. The safer nascar makes a race the more people will [complain]. When the drivers go on strike because they don’t feel safe then nascar can stepin, don’t we think they have enough. Get rid of the yellow lines, restrictor plates, and the COT. Let’s keep Dale Sr happy.

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Fast Track on


Instead of rewriting all of the rule books (Which NasCar is famous for anyway) Simply tell the drivers to cut the BS. Carl Edwards knowingly and intentionally blocked Brad Kowslowski TWICE. I know the drivers are allowed to protect their position, but let’s bear in mind NasCar waived the double yellow line rule previously in the same race because they felt it were better that they (The 2 driver’s) advanced their position under the double yellow line rather than cause an accident. I’m calling BS on NasCars rules, there not consistant all the way from this POS COT to taking each driver’s ability to build their own cars and may the best man & car win. Dale Jr. said it best when he said “Everybody has the same piece, it’s like an I.R.O.C. race where everybody has the same identical cars”

Park the COT…forever. Let these guys use what ever tires they want and build their own cars. If you think about it that’s the sports legacy to begin with. To tell you the truth in the 60′s when i saw my first convertible race at Daytona i was shocked. But hey, WTF? All Hail NasCar! Zieg Heil!

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Steve on


Lets not go overboard with this kids, racing has always been a dangerous sport and if it is to remain popular it will continue to be. Lets not be a bunch of liberals and tell our kids they can’t play dodge ball anymore because they might get hurt! NASCAR has done a fine job protecting drivers and fans. There is no need to put additional restrictions on anything. The sprot has already been downgraded with the restrictor plates and the COT. lets not take it down any further. If your worries about your safety stay home, suck your thumb, and watch it on TV!

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Vince on


I think this crash could of happend in Texas or Atlanta where the speeds are just as fast. Talladega shouldn’t be taking the blame. Don’t sell the bottom rows of seats, and let the boys race….don’t change a thing.

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kent on


racing is racing enter gates at YOUR OWN RISK.. so let them run leave them along nascar is doing all that is humanly possible to make sure SAFETY is 1st. they did after the 87 Allison crash and they will this time…

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YaiYai on


You know how Talledega is when you buy your ticket. I was there and I was no more afraid than when I ride I-20 with those ceazy drivers. if you think your life is in danger then stay home and watch it on TV because you could get in a wreak going to the race.

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Smokie on


Give me the seat I will sit in those seats at any race anytime!!!!!!!!!!

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Edward J Rogers Jr on


I THINK NASCAR CAN MOVE THE GRANDSTANDS BACK SOME WHAT AND OR MAKE THE FENCE STRONGER!BECAUSE THE TRACK IS JUST FINE THE WAY IT IS!!AND BESIDES WHEN CARL EDWARDS WENT BACK WORDS RYAN NEWMEN HIT CARL AS HE WAS COMING DOWN!!!!!

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Roy on


I agree that NASCAR should do away with the stupid rule about going below the yellow line. I think i recall Dale, Sr. going through the grass to win a race. If NASCAR keeps the yellow line rule you can bet that one day a car will go into the stands and that will be the end of NASCAR as we know it. In a wreck like happened with Carl and Brad it is just a miracle that a hood or some other large part of the car did not come off and fly into the stands which more than likely would have killed some fans. Are you listening NASCAR ? Do away with the yellow line rule at all tracks before it is to late ?

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Roy on


Some are saying that a broken jaw is not that much of an injury. Pray that you never get one. I have a friend who got his jaw broke by a flying baseball and for months he went through he– and still talks with a lisp. He sued and settled out of court for big bucks. You can bet that the person who got the broken jaw at the race will be set for life after their lawsuit against NASCAR and you can rest assured NASCAR will try to settled out of court.

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julie on


i go to the races and everytime i go i know what could happen just like every other race fan. it is no different then when a driver gets behind the wheel of the car to race for us to watch.

safety is a concern yes, but on that same note you can only do so much in prevention before it becomes ridiculous. we go to those tracks for excitement and a helluva race not to sit there like it is an opera, bored out of our skulls..

it is no different from baseball, golf, monster trucks and i could go on and on…
point is this…the tracks and nascar do what they can without compromising the sport, who are we to criticize when we are the ones who shell out the money and demand the kinda show that we saw, we are essentially responsible for our own safety and take the risks by sitting in the lower seats, if you think for one minute that you are 100% safe at that event and you are sitting that close then you are wrong and ignorant, without reconfiguring the seating there is not much that can be done about our safety…there are spectator hazards at just about every sport..you as an individual take the responsibility for your own safety, dont count on no one to do it for you you are your own best protection.
that wont stop me from sitting in those seats again either..

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harry kimmey on


NASCAR CAN’T BE BLAMED FOR THIS. EDWARDS LIKE THE REST BLOCK AND HE PAID FOR THAT. WE ALL REMEMBER THAT E. SR. LOST HIS LIFE BLOCKING FOR JR. AND WALTTRIP.RACING IS RACING, LET THE GUYS RACE. WITHOUT WRECKS IN RACING MOST PEOPLE WOULD FIND ANOTHER SPORT TO GO TO OR WATCH. COULD GO TO TOUCH FOOTBALL, HOW ABOUT THAT. THIS MIGHT NOT NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN IN 50 YEARS OR MORE. DO AWAY WITH THAT YELLOW LINE CRAP. WITH THE YOUNG DRIVERS TODAY , THEY AREN’T OLD ENOUGH TO FEAR ANYTHING. KNOWING THAT MAKES THEM FUN TO WATCH, LIKE KYLE BUSH AND ROBBIE GORDON. THE NEW CAR I DON’T LIKE. LETS GO BACK TO RACING A CAR NOT A BUNCH OF ROLL BARS AND SHEET METAL AND CALL IT A FORD OR CHEY. IT’S ALREDY TURNED INTO A DASH FOR THE LAST 20 LAPS. JUST LIKE EDWARDS DID, WAITED AND JUST DID THE LEFT TURN BIT.IT WAS LESS BORRING THEN THE PREVIOUS RACES, BECAUSE OF THE WRECKS AND BUMPING AT TIMES.NASCAR NEEDS TO GET RID OF THAT CLOWN CAR.

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Wild Bill on


Ya know what folks? I’m sick of it. I’ve been addicted to stock car racing since the 60s. I’ll keep this short. There’s no crying in racing. It’s inherently dangerous. If someone gets involved in the sport, in any capacity, they assume the risk. Oh wait though…This is the new America. Where we take risks then blame someone else when we get hurt. Waaaaaaaaaa! That whole attitude just makes me sick. Butch up Carl. You’re the idiot that caused that wreck. I could go on for a year about this but…

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Jason Arden on


All the debate about the fence is good but we need to back up and take a look at why was the car airbourne to begin with. I have watched it over and over and as soon as Carl spun backwards the roof flaps popped up and he still went airbourne immediately. I know Nascar has done their homework on the COT but I would be looking at this issue also.

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Susan on


I totally agree, NASCAR HAS to do something to insure the safety of the fan’s! I just pictured that car going through the fence and landing on those people, it just made me shutter! I thank Carl and any of the other driver’s that are speaking out about this! NASCAR has a BIG Fan base and I don’t want to see NASCAR being bombarded and jumped on! Let’s just make it safer! I think a track, such as Talledega, needs to move the seats up and back further and a stonger fence, even though that one held, it was TOO close! Ok NASCAR, let’s “git er done”!! ~ S ~

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Shamrock on


The safety features all worked and did there job There. With out risks where is the excitment? round and round we go.If you want to watch a merry go round go to a fair! Nuff said!

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Terri on


I also heard Edwards say it was his fault for not knowing where Brad was……if he was paying attention and didn’t assume a rookie could beat him, the accident probably wouldn’t have happened in the first place. Drivers are driving the cars, not NASCAR.

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Daniel on


As simple as this
The bocking car can only block down to the double yellow line , once the blocking car goes below the double yellow line he gets punished like smith did for trying to win a safe race.
and if that driver in smiths case tries to block someone on his left side while below the yelow line then he gets punished also

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Erin on


If safety is first why wasn’t the caution thrown as soon as Ryan hit Carl? or even before? Who’s fault it is has no bearing finding the causes and solutions are including modifications to the COT, the fencing etc. The drivers are only doing what they can do to get a good finish and work within the box NASCAR has put them.

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Jr.'s #1 Fan on


First off quit BOO-HOOING about all of this. I do feel sorry for those that were injured, but if you don’t want to take the chance – STAY AT HOME! Don’t fault anyone – NASCAR or otherwise. I go to races all the time and I know the risks that are involved and so do the drivers. They know everytime they get in that car there is a possible risk of serious injury or death. I agree that the COT is a POS. I believe that NASCAR should go back to it’s roots and truly let this be “STOCK CAR RACING”. Let these boys build their cars the way they want them, like they did when all of this started 60 years ago! Also, let the drivers handle themselves as they see fit – NASCAR wants the drivers to show “more emotion” – then let them – quit the penalizing (cash and/or points). Let them duke it out in turn 4 (i.e. 1979 Daytona 500), let them throw helmets. Has everyone forgotten what this sport is all about? Rubbin’ is racing, sometimes you have to block to win, and if you can’t take it get off the track! (or for those of you too scared to see a race live – shut your tv off or watch a different sport). I don’t want to see anyone hurt (fans, drivers or otherwise) but how boring would it be to have the grandstands 100 ft away from the track watching these cars abide by rules (no blocking, etc.). What’s next? Single file with no passing – oooh that sounds fun. COME ON PEOPLE!!!!

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