[racephoto1]

Funny that he didn't say that about NASCRAP after Earnhardt got it at Daytona.

[Hotshoe65s]

Originally Posted by racephoto1 Funny that he didn't say that about NASCRAP after Earnhardt got it at Daytona.

In the months and years following NASCAR did make major safety improvements. There is no denying that.

I'd have to agree with Johnson. He was just thinking out loud and voicing his opinion on the safety of indycars. (1st amendment, look it up). Honestly I have never thought they were safe. First off when the drivers head is not protected by at least a few bars, then your asking for head injuries.
Secondly, there is no frame to absorb the blow, just a frame right around the driver.
Third, they are open wheel vehicles with wings. If you jump another car's tires at 220+mph you will go for a ugly ride.

And for all of you saying they are safe and they should continue running at 225+ with the cars they currently have, then maybe you should climb inside one and put your life on the line.
The drivers in Indycar are very brave and very talented, but the cars need major improvements if they want to continue racing on high banked ovals. No race is worth a drivers life.
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[monkeyboy]

This isn't baseball,football,or any other sport.Something goes wrong in this sport you don't just blow your knee out or break an arm.Anyone who has or ever will strap into a car knows the risk.A quote that i heard suits this situation best."It's and unfortunate aspect of the game we choose to play."Also what would Jimmy Johnson know about driving anything open wheel?

[racephoto1]

There were crashes of that magnatude in CART, but no fatalities, the Michigan 500 when back up cars were used to restart the race.

As for accidents that were as severe as to cause fatal injuries , Greg Moore was as bad as it gets , also in CART.It doesn't make a difference who the organization is, it happens.

It's auto racing , and unfortunately death happens. If we changed where we raced everytime there was a fatal accident, we'd be running only slot cars. From figure 8 racing to the quarter mile bull rings and everything in between people have been killed. You try to learn from their deaths on what to improve, but you can't stop, or else all is for naught.

[openwheelKT]

I think if you ask any Nascar driver (other than the ones that have raced an IndyCar), they are going to say they aren't safe and don't need to be on ovals.

Ovals have a place on the schedule. So because of one bad accident, all ovals should be banned the next day? If that's the case, they should have been banned back in 1911. It's like saying if there is a plane crash that all flying should be banned forever. A person takes the risk that something could happen, same as a driver. The only way to not put yourself at risk is to not put yourself in that situation. Racing is way more dangerous than flying so not directly comparing the two. Point is, you won't ever be in a plane crash if you never fly. People make choices and know the risks. The choice to do something should not be taken away. Steps need to be taken. I just don't think banning everything the next day needs to happen.

The problem is not the track, it's the pack racing that is the issue. The problem is that drivers can't get away from each other and have to run inches apart lap after lap without making the slightest mistake. THAT's the issue, not ovals. Drivers should have to lift when getting into the corner. Being able to flat-foot the car all the way around the track is what causes the pack and the drivers can't get away from each other. So engine changes and smaller wings would help a driver with having to lift for the corner. Slowing the cars down to 190 won't matter if they are all going 190. It's not the speed, it's the pack, at whatever speed they are going. You're still going to lauch at 190 in a pack. The key is they HAVE to figure out how make the car race so the driver has to lift for the corner. The new cars will help, but we won't know 100% until they are raced. So ovals are not the main issue, it's pack racing that is. Would they be safer by not running 1.5 milers? Of course, goes back to not putting yourself there. Several experts have said the pack racing can be ended/fixed. That's what needs to happen. The sad thing is this has been brewing for 10 years. There have been some near misses. Just wish we could have gotten through one more before the new cars.

The main thing is to not let Danny's life be the end of something. It should be the start of something better. Dan did all the development work on the new car. I don't think he would want drivers to stay off ovals. Figure out how to take as much danger out as you can. More steps can be taken.

[racer-x]

What do people do when there best friend is killed in a terrible CAR accident? They load there family up in a CAR and go to there funeral? If you wanted to see a nut jobs view of the accident this weekend you should have watched DIANE SAWYERS comments on why it had to happen to him? She kept saying how it was so sad for him and his family and going on and on and each time replaying that tape of the accident. I wish they would stop showing the video of it,most of the people are not even sure what car was his there was so much going on at the time. Have some respect for the mans family.

[767]

I think what Jimmy said was totally disrespectful. You are the face of racing in America. I do not think any of the former faces (petty, earnhardt,....) would have said anything like that. Those guys had alot of respect for all forms of racing. Don't care what circumstances Jimmy was in or anything like that. What he said was a low blow. Sure don't remember anyone saying NASCAR should quit running ovals after Irwin or Petty. To me, he kicked the dog while it was down, and totally disrespected the family. This is just my opinion though.

[SteveD]

Areo downforce is such a drag....trading horsepower for inhanced gravity is pissing off the race Gods.

[fourteen fan]

I thought Robin Miller said it best on Wind Tunnel, that most of the INdy Car drivers today have not driven a sprint or midget and gotten upside down, and as a result, show and have no fear.

I do not agree with JJ. Why run your mouth about a series you do not drive in.

Maybe they should have asked Tony his thoughts-if he would have shared them.

[MIDWESTMFG]

Typicall Taxi Cab racer, all mouth no guts, open wheel racing has been and always will be the most dangerous. That is why the best drivers in the world come from their ranks. It is still a very somber time when we loose one of our own!. GODSPEED DAN WHELDON