Spurred by Richmond pit road fire, new gear required
CONCORD, N.C. -- Crew members going over pit wall in all three NASCAR national touring series -- Sprint Cup, XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series – will soon be required to wear SFI-approved gloves, head socks and underwear, a safety move spurred by a pit-road fire at Richmond International Raceway last month.
The items were already recommended by the sanctioning body but not required.
Additionally, changes will also be put into place for those handling the gas cans used to refuel the cars.
"Really, it's formalizing some of our recommendations over the years," Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition and Racing Development, told NASCAR.com Thursday. "We've been doing surveys the last few weeks, and we were pleased to know that there were many teams that were already proactive and had most of the guys in good coverage."
Teams were notified of the requirements Wednesday. Pemberton said a bulletin will be forthcoming, and the changes will be in effect beginning June 4 of this year. SFI-approved socks will be required beginning Aug. 1.
"In talking to some of the manufacturers on different lead times (to provide the necessary materials), knowing that it would take several weeks to get everyone 100 percent in compliance, we just notified teams … to let them get in and get things ordered and help them with lead time," Pemberton said.
Two Richard Childress Racing crew members were hospitalized following a fire in the pit of driver Brendan Gaughan during an XFINITY Series race at RIR last month. A third crew member, working with another team, was treated but not hospitalized.
Gaughan's No. 62 Chevrolet erupted in flames when spilled fuel ignited during a pit stop. Anthony O'Brien, the team's rear-tire changer, and gasman Josh Wittman were hospitalized. Wittman was released the following day while O'Brien was released three days after the incident.
Clifford Turner (JGL Racing) was treated and released after inhaling fire extinguisher chemicals.
RELATED: Fire erupts in No. 62 pit stall at Richmond
"We were going down this path anyway," Pemberton said. "I use the (phrase) 'you get a tap on the shoulder every now and then' … (the Richmond incident) helped to put it on the fast track.
"We've all worked together and a lot of times it's better if we throw a rule out there for everybody to comply."
Pemberton said several teams were already making the necessary safety changes in the wake of the incident at RIR. At Kansas Speedway last weekend, Mike Dillon, Vice President for RCR, said crew members going over pit wall for the organization were now required to wear flame-retardant head socks.
"You never know where the incident is going to come from," Pemberton said. "The front tire changer could be at risk because of the guys pitting in front of them.
"All of this equipment is out there. We'd just made it where the individual was responsible; sometimes we have to go better than that."
Specific changes for those going over the wall include:
• Head sock must cover mouth and nose.
• Helmet chin straps must be fastened.
• Underwear must cover from neck to wrists to ankles.
In addition, for those fueling the car:
• Face shield must be fully closed when fueling the car.
• Fueler apron must be worn on the outside of the uniform.
The bulletin will also recommend the use of a one-piece uniform for all over-the-wall crewmen, although it is not currently required.
Touring series safety requirements will remain unchanged, according to Pemberton, who noted "many don't have pit stops where they fuel."
NASCAR officials roaming pit road will also be required to be outfitted according to the new standards. Prior to the start of the '15 season, NASCAR began outfitting its officials in the flagstand as well as NASCAR turn spotters with full-face helmets.