Thread: NASCAR is safer than ever

Numbers just released show that this is the 2nd year when crashes and spins have been down. It's the best since 2002, so they are going in the right direction, that's for sure. Poor David Stremme had the most number of crashes!

That's great news ... Well, not for David Stremme in particular I guess.

I wonder if it's the result of some new regulations or a change in equipment?

I wonder why there are less crashes. I hate to say it, but I think the crashes are fun to watch. I should say as long as the people aren't getting hurt. I hate it when the race ends in a crash though.

Originally Posted by speedster

I wonder why there are less crashes. I hate to say it, but I think the crashes are fun to watch. I should say as long as the people aren't getting hurt. I hate it when the race ends in a crash though.

I don't think you're alone in that, speedster! Dare I say, I think a lot of people watch Nascar if not just for the crashes, then at least with major hopes invested in them!

A big part of it is the car. The safety advantages have been huge. At the same time, because of the car, the drivers race differently now. You don't get those big wrecks. I know they are exciting; the good news is that when the wrecks happen, the drivers don't get as hurt as much. But know this, they still get hurt. I'm not sure about the long haul. Jeff Gordon had two really bad crashes that he essentially walked away from but now he has back issues and that's probably from those wrecks.

Originally Posted by speedster

I wonder why there are less crashes. I hate to say it, but I think the crashes are fun to watch. I should say as long as the people aren't getting hurt. I hate it when the race ends in a crash though.

I really, really don't like crashes, for me a good race is where there are none, I always cringe when someone tells me they watch the races for the crashes
I'm sometime surprised I still have a tongue left, from biting it so often and hard, when I hear those kind of comments.

Especially when you consider all the deaths and injuries from over the years. I just can't imagine watching a race and being thrilled at a wreck and then realizing that Dale Earnhardt is dead, or whoever. My heart stopped when I saw Carl Edwards up in the air and into that catchfence last year at Dega.

I don't think it's surprising really that there are less crashes since they make progress with new technology every year and strive do to all they can to make it safer.

Agreed. Safety enhancements are sure to lower the risk of NASCAR problems. I would be interested to know what safety enhancements each driver has been using.

I don't like to see people hurt... I just think minor fender benders make it more exciting. To see other drivers handle their vehicles around the mess, that to be is fun!