The Steel And Foam Energy Reduction Barrier is a priority safety initiative used in all three NASCAR series.
Commonly referred to as a “soft wall”, the SAFER Barrier absorbs kinetic energy when a race car makes contact with the wall, which helps prevent injuries to the driver.
A team of engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln helped conceptualize the project, which consists of sections of steel tubing backed by foam blocks that are installed 30 inches in front of race tracks’ traditional cement walls.
The SAFER Barrier debuted at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2002.