Backseat Blonde - Earnhardt Jr. Reminds Fans

July 19, 2004

Earnhardt Jr. Reminds Fans of Racing's Dangers
By Allison Wagda

Not since Dale Earnhardt Sr. died has an auto racing
accident dominated the news like his son’s fiery crash
yesterday at Sonoma’s Infineon Raceway.

The images were shocking. Dale Jr., practicing for the
American LeMans Series race with road course
specialist Boris Said, sitting stunned with the inferno
blazing around him, then diving out of the smoke and stumbling to safety. The story
even led NBC’s national news broadcast.

Luckily, by all reports, he’ll be okay. But the scene was a grim reminder of the
dangers our heroes face every time they take to the track.

It’s been several years since we lost one of our own. Safety measures have come a
long way. Highly engineered “safer” walls have been installed at many of the tracks
on the Nextel Cup circuit, reducing the affect on the impact on a driver. Roof hatches
have been added to race cars to provide racers an alternate escape route. And the
HANS device, a specially made seat/harness, keeps drivers secured in the event of a
crash.

We’ve lost racing legends, promising rookies, and established stars on the track.
Kenny Irwin and Adam Petty were both victims of New Hampshire Speedway in 2000.
Dale Sr. died in the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. Daytona also claimed the life
of Earnhardt’s good friend Neil Bonnet in 1994. J.D. McDuffie died at Watkins Glen in
2001. The list goes on. NASCAR’s famed ovals are almost certainly haunted by the
ghosts of our fallen racers.

But since the widespread adoption of advanced safety technologies on the Cup
circuit, fans have been lulled into a false sense of security. We stand and cheer
when cars get together on the track, and are now apparently willing to put the drivers
at additional risk in the name of a green flag finish.

Last September, NASCAR banned racing back to the caution because drivers were
increasingly placed in peril in the mad dash for the yellow flag. But just this past
week, NASCAR introduced a new green/white/checkers rule to ensure the race ends
under green. Interestingly, many of the younger drivers seem supportive of the move,
and veterans like Rusty Wallace lamenting the rule change as dangerous. Perhaps
because Wallace has been forced to bear witness to the death of fellow competitors.
We’ll see soon enough, but given the old adage “cautions breed cautions,” I suspect
we may pay the price as NASCAR searches for ways to increase TV ratings.

Earnhardt’s accident yesterday should serve as a wake up call to both fans and
NASCAR officials. Safety must be of paramount concern. Yes, racing is dangerous,
and there will always be accidents. It can’t be helped with 43 cars flying along
separated by mere inches.

But accidents should not be encouraged, or taken for granted. Just think about all the
personalities we cheer each week. Is there even one we are willing to sacrifice in the
name of entertainment?

NOTE: Drivers aren’t the only people at risk during a race. While Dale Jr. led the news
last night, just a few miles from Infineon local Bay Area fans were mourning the loss
of a track official who died Saturday evening at Petaluma Speedway, a 3/8 mile dirt
track. Randy Clifton, a veteran race official with over a decade of experience, was
positioned on the edge of the track in turn under caution, just doing his job ensuring
cars were lined up correctly and scanning for any possible debris. A car entering the
track reportedly lost control when the steering wheel came off in the driver’s hands,
striking Clifton. The incident didn’t even make most local newscasts. Just the same,
we’re all praying for his family.

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