I havent read any of the previous info there are just too many pages already sry if i say something thats already been covered. This is a topic i feel very strongly about and wanted to post ASAP.

Most sprint car head and neck injuries could be lessened if every non wing car had a +2 inch cage height. While on top of this you add a nascar type quick release window net.

When the tracks are wet the cages sink in the track, having a net on there would reduce this in my opinion, as well as slow down another car or debrie from entering into the cockpit. (which i have brought to usacs attention) typical to any other suggestion they are going to... "look into that, seems like a good idea".

I run a 2 inch taller car but when you add belt stretch to the equation with a 6ft tall driver you are still going to have contact with the dirt. combine this with that hans device we are REQUIRED to wear. Which keeps the head more erect what happens? Spinal compression. Along with a full containment seat that wont let your head move more than 1/2 inch right, 2-3 inches left and with a hans set CORRECTLY (which 9 out of 10 guys in usac dont do because it restricts vision) you can only move 1-2 inches forward.

So take a flat hit on top of your cage on the dirt, your belts stretch 2 inches average, yet your head cant move in any direction enough to soften the blow of your helmet on the dirt and youve got spinal problems.

The HANS device has its purpose and is very very good in those areas of racing, im not trying to give it a bad rap. Head on to 45 degree angle hits. Like drag racing, NASCAR, and i believe they are good for pavement racing in USAC, but as far as dirt goes its not a problem fixer in my opinion. I can recover from wiplash alot faster than the injuries the HANS can possibly cause. The violent impacts we take severely affects the collar bones, Tony Jones is a prime example, after a tumble he broke his collar bone and the doctor said he had never seen healthier bone structure and it was a clean break at the position of his hans. The doctor then said that the device was beyond reasonable doubt the reason for the break. The thing i dont quite understand is all the neck/back/collar bone injuries the season before all drivers were wearing a hans. The next year its MANDATORY or some strap systems that i also tried and was pointless i could move just as far with it on as if it werent. Yes i read the directions when i used them as well on how they should be set. But belts and tethers also stretch.

The head clearance deal is a very good rule but i dont ever see it being pursued for the simple fact of tall drivers even with a 2 inch raised halo i didnt pass their inspection. The torque tube still hits my seat so i am as low as i can get. The taller you make these cars the less structuraly entegrity they have i believe too.

So bottom line i hope someone CAN come up with a solution but at the moment i dont see much changing. Budgets are tight as ever so convincing everyone to discard their frames will be a major issue, thats why after the first race that tool usac used got put in the dumpster.

Another thing i have noticed is the seemingly decreased quality in chromoly tubing, maybe im off base here but i have never seen more cars breaking in critical places than the past couple seasons. This isnt due to the manufacturer OR the sales companies its just what they get from the source.

These are my opinions as a driver only, so take them for what they are worth. Give me back my neck brace and standard belt system, it is the drivers choice in his own safety no one else PERIOD.

-Daron Clayton