[sprntr]

NASCAR Makes Change To Safety Rules

by NSSN Staff

NASCAR has officially banned drivers from exiting their race cars until directed to by safety personnel after on-track incidents. (HHP/Harold Hinson Photo)

BROOKLYN, Mich. – NASCAR has officially banned drivers from exiting their cars following on-track incidents until told to do so by safety personnel.

The rule, listed as Section 9-16, will be an addendum to the NASCAR rule book and will apply to all of its racing series, effective immediately. The rule comes on the heels of the on-track incident at Canandaigua (N.Y.) Motorsports Park last Saturday night resulted in the death of driver Kevin Ward Jr. after he was hit by the sprint car driven by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart.

“Through time you have to recognize when you get a reminder or a tap on the shoulder about something that may need to be addressed,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition and racing development. “It’s not just about NASCAR, it’s about all of motorsports.”

The new rule reads as follows:

During an Event, if a racecar is involved in an on-track incident and/or is stopped on or near the racing surface and unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating emergency conditions exist with the racecar (i.e. fire, smoke in cockpit, etc.) the driver should take the following steps:

- Shut off electrical power and, if driver is uninjured, lower window net

- Do not loosen, disconnect or remove any driver personal safety equipment until directed to do so by safety personnel or a NASCAR/Track Official

- After being directed to exit the racecar, the driver should proceed to either the ambulance, other vehicle, or as otherwise directed by safety personnel or a NASCAR/Track Official

- At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach any portion of the racing surface or apron

- At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach another moving vehicle

All vehicles not involved in the incident or that are able to continue afterwards should slow down to a cautious speed as outlined in Section 10-4 (Yellow Flag), use extreme care as they approach an incident scene, and follow any directions given by safety personnel or NASCAR/Track Officials. Cars in line behind the safety car should not weave or otherwise stray from the line in the vicinity of the incident.

[DAD]

other racing organizations and track operators

Make mental note: This reads like a pretty good easy to add rules for all rule books or sheets. It actually reads like good old common sense!!!

Honest Dad himself

[Stevensville Mike]

Do you think the NHL will look at this and ban fighting before someone gets killed via fisticuffs?

I didn't think so. They, like NASCAR, love altercations. Because of the Stewart-Ward incident, racing's hand is being forced. One side can applaud NASCAR for doing this in the interest of safety, but the other side can call them hypocrites for using past altercations to sell tickets. Robby Gordon throwing his helmet at Michael Waltrip at Loudon, Stewart throwing his helmet at Matt Kenseth at Bristol, Kurt Busch patting his butt at Jimmy Spencer at the Brickyard, and, our favorite of all, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison fighting at Daytona.

I personally think they should issue an apology to all for using these behaviors in the past for promoting the sport. But I doubt it will ever happen.

[dirt in ur beer]

I think NASCAR Owes me an apology for ruining NASCAR

[DAD]

Originally Posted by Stevensville Mike Do you think the NHL will look at this and ban fighting before someone gets killed via fisticuffs? I didn't think so. They, like NASCAR, love altercations. Because of the Stewart-Ward incident, racing's hand is being forced. One side can applaud NASCAR for doing this in the interest of safety, but the other side can call them hypocrites for using past altercations to sell tickets. Robby Gordon throwing his helmet at Michael Waltrip at Loudon, Stewart throwing his helmet at Matt Kenseth at Bristol, Kurt Busch patting his butt at Jimmy Spencer at the Brickyard, and, our favorite of all, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison fighting at Daytona. I personally think they should issue an apology to all for using these behaviors in the past for promoting the sport. But I doubt it will ever happen.

Steve

I still like the idea of a boxing ring built at the winners circle right in front of the grandstands. A good promoter could make some serious hay using this venue and generate a lot of hype and extra entertainment for the crowd. This would be much better than having sidelined drivers trying to stop a speeding race car or throwing objects at them when they are taveling at caution speeds of 60 MPH min.

We once had a disgruntled Mini Sprint racer stop his car on the back side of the track (Sixteenth Street Speedway) get out of his car, drop his racing suit and "MOON" the entire crowd. This didn't go over too good for the group he was racing with, but it opened the door for another group to race at the track.

I can kinda of vision two drivers in the middle of the ring in full race gear including helmets and big old 20 oz gloves wailing at one another, that would have to be better than a pro wrestling match.

Maybe we are EVOLVING towards a "Roller Ball" mentality?

Honest Dad himself