pandr
10-22-2011, 02:59 PM
Dan Wheldon's death brings safety back up at Talladega
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Friday, Oct. 21, 2011
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Matt Kenseth doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about the dangers involved on race day.
He can't.
“If that was something that I did think about, then I would find something else to do,” Kenseth said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway.
“Certainly it is something you think about when you are building race cars. NASCAR is constantly trying to make the tracks, pit road, our cars and everything safer.
“You just keep working on those things and, other than that, you don't spend a lot of time thinking about it.”
The death of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon last weekend in an IndyCar Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway provided a stark reminder to NASCAR drivers and fans about the risks involved in auto racing – particularly as the Sprint Cup Series moves to one of its fastest tracks this weekend.
Qualifying for Sunday's Good Sam Club 500 is 12:15 p.m. Saturday.
“There is that danger aspect that is always out there,” Kenseth said. “When you get in the car, you just go race.”
While NASCAR and IndyCar are two very different forms of racing, they will be linked in a way on Sunday when NASCAR plans to honor the loss of one of IndyCar's best.
As Sprint Cup and Truck series entries made their way through the inspection process this weekend, NASCAR officials added decals to the cars and trucks featuring the Lionheart Knight image that has become Wheldon's trademark.
In addition, there will be a moment of silence prior to Sunday's race.
Several drivers – including Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon – are contributing items for an online auction to raise money for a trust fund for Wheldon's children and the Alzheimer's Association, a cause that was important to the late IndyCar driver.
“I'm extremely impressed with the outpouring,” Johnson said. “Within sports there had been some great support, too, but it's gone off into a different world, with surfing even.
“I'm just really proud of everybody doing their part in trying to help provide for the family and keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers.”
Kevin Harvick said Wheldon's death didn't give him any specific pause about safety this weekend, but provided a reminder of the inherent dangers of motorsports.
“I feel good about where our sport is and the safety procedures and precautions and everything that NASCAR has continuously developed through the years,” Harvick said.
“IndyCar has been been responsible for being a big part of the SAFER barriers and they have a constant effort to be a part of the safety precautions and safety measures that are getting better year after year.
“They do a good job, but the bottom line is, those cars are running really fast and your head is hanging out of the cockpit and some things are going to happen. It's part of our business.”
C/P thats racin
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Friday, Oct. 21, 2011
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Matt Kenseth doesn't spend a lot of time thinking about the dangers involved on race day.
He can't.
“If that was something that I did think about, then I would find something else to do,” Kenseth said Friday at Talladega Superspeedway.
“Certainly it is something you think about when you are building race cars. NASCAR is constantly trying to make the tracks, pit road, our cars and everything safer.
“You just keep working on those things and, other than that, you don't spend a lot of time thinking about it.”
The death of two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon last weekend in an IndyCar Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway provided a stark reminder to NASCAR drivers and fans about the risks involved in auto racing – particularly as the Sprint Cup Series moves to one of its fastest tracks this weekend.
Qualifying for Sunday's Good Sam Club 500 is 12:15 p.m. Saturday.
“There is that danger aspect that is always out there,” Kenseth said. “When you get in the car, you just go race.”
While NASCAR and IndyCar are two very different forms of racing, they will be linked in a way on Sunday when NASCAR plans to honor the loss of one of IndyCar's best.
As Sprint Cup and Truck series entries made their way through the inspection process this weekend, NASCAR officials added decals to the cars and trucks featuring the Lionheart Knight image that has become Wheldon's trademark.
In addition, there will be a moment of silence prior to Sunday's race.
Several drivers – including Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon – are contributing items for an online auction to raise money for a trust fund for Wheldon's children and the Alzheimer's Association, a cause that was important to the late IndyCar driver.
“I'm extremely impressed with the outpouring,” Johnson said. “Within sports there had been some great support, too, but it's gone off into a different world, with surfing even.
“I'm just really proud of everybody doing their part in trying to help provide for the family and keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers.”
Kevin Harvick said Wheldon's death didn't give him any specific pause about safety this weekend, but provided a reminder of the inherent dangers of motorsports.
“I feel good about where our sport is and the safety procedures and precautions and everything that NASCAR has continuously developed through the years,” Harvick said.
“IndyCar has been been responsible for being a big part of the SAFER barriers and they have a constant effort to be a part of the safety precautions and safety measures that are getting better year after year.
“They do a good job, but the bottom line is, those cars are running really fast and your head is hanging out of the cockpit and some things are going to happen. It's part of our business.”
C/P thats racin