It's really easy to cast blame on an accident from watching a video...but things happen so much faster on the track behind the wheel. Drivers have a split second to make decisions like that, and even the best drivers in the world get one wrong every once in a while.

I have no axe to grind with Nic Faas. But this is two flips in three nights that were totally--TOTALLY--his fault. It doesn't make him a bad guy, a spoiled kid, a bad racer, a cheater or any other form of sub-species. Provided he learns from these incidents and uses a little more discipline in his racing efforts, turning dead sideways in front of Coons in turn three at Lawrenceburg and attempting a "never-ever-ever-had-a-chance"-lunge in turn one that launched Kaplan into the thin air will all be soon forgotten. I expect he'll get better. But taking the heat now is part of the process.
Oh, and the next time a driver gets out of a car after a flip like Kaplan's and Faas', and is obviously woozy/hurt/disoriented he needs to just get taken to a hospital for checkup. Whether he can correctly count all the fingers in front of him or not, we're getting closer and closer to a driver having a big wreck, showing possible concussive signs, getting the "All's Well"- and then slipping into unconsciousness forever. This is a better-safe-than-sorry scenario if I ever saw one.
I hope everyone is alright, as soon as possible. But throwing up blood is not to be taken lightly. Tests and rests are in order.

Very well put seckert..... I agree that they need to be taken for observation if they show any signs of head trauma.

Hopefully they are both at home resting easy and recovering!!

AMEN.

A few weeks ago my son had a violent wreck, said he was OK, answered all the questions right and then a few minutes later lost his vision for a short time.

So glad Nic, Ryan, AND Josh are not in worse shape then they are.

Two things that struck me after this incident..

#1 - The way the EMT's or track official were trying to get the drivers to sign the release forms. Ryan was literally 30 seconds removed from his car sitting on the track with his head between his knees with a guy asking him to sign the release, fortunately Josh Spencer who had gone through a similar ordeal basically ran over and told the guy to get away and let him collect himself.

#2 - Nick getting back in the car after the hit he took.

Tim

Tim, they did the same thing when Logan Hupp had his accident a few weeks back. In the video you can see the EMT filling out the paperwork while the other track crew are in the process of turning the car over and making sure Logan is okay. Then when the car catches fire and almost burns a guy he nonchalantly looks up then goes back to filling out his paperwork like its no big deal and as soon as Logan exits the car you can tell he is going to chase him down to sign the forms.

I guess you haven't watched as many races as I have, then, because I've seen many races won by a driver who made a VERY aggressive move on the first lap. And, even more races with inverted starts, in which that move got him to a transfer spot.

I am one of those who believe that no one under 18 (21?) should be driving these things, but I suspect that, in most cases like this one, it's the lack of experience rather than the age that is the problem. A 25-year-old driver with the same time in a sprinter might have done the same thing.

I'll call it Controlled Aggression. If you are going to be a successful racer you better possess it. The problem is that it is a learned skill which comes from experience, lots of experience. I’m sure you can look back at any successful driver’s early career and find bone head moves like this one.

From what I know of Nic he is not a bad kid. But, he is a kid; he's learning and gaining that experience. Unfortunately he made a mistake, a bad mistake, which affected others. Like Sceckert said, I hope Nic will learn from this beating he has taken, verbally and physically and learn a real big lesson. I'm just very very glad that this mistake did not result in any more serious injury than it has.

I'm not going to call for Nic's lynching because I don't have a dog in this fight. I don’t think it’s any of my business. Let the involved work it out. I'm sure he and Ryan will talk about it at some point and move on.

As far as the release forms, when we sue for spilling hot coffee on our lap we will eventually suffer the opposite reaction. It still sucks that those legal issues over ride safety.

Ryan and Nic, I hope you two are feeling better. Take Care..

It's none of my business but....

Isn't it a little concerning that Nic was allowed by the safety crew, USAC, and his own crew to run the B main after that wreck? That was not your normal everyday accident getting that kind of air then landing on top of your cage. Someone also said his seat was bent at 45 degrees?

Only reason I bring it up is that I remember Brian Hayden and the accident he had. Everybody thought he was fine but come to find out he had a severe head injury. He ended up being a very lucky guy. Before this happened to Brian and opened my eyes, I was probably one of those who would fix the car and let my driver race if it was any way possible.

I'm not blaming Nic at all for running because 99% of all racers in his position would want to race if the car was repairable....He's a racer , thats what they do but.....thats when someone not wearing a helmet should step in if there is any doubt.

I would like to thank everyone for the comments about the shooting of the video. I really do appreciate it. If anyone is interested there are a few more videos on my YouTube page from Kokomo Sprint Week and past races.

Thanks