By Staff Report
NASCAR.com
Published:
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Plan to add approximately 54,000 linear feet of SAFER barriers at its facilities
RELATED: Learn the latest on Daytona’s safety enhancements
International Speedway Corporation announced Saturday that plans to add 54,000 linear feet of energy-absorbing SAFER barriers at its tracks are moving forward.
The decision comes of the heels of facility reviews of the 12 tracks that ISC owns and operates, and after Kyle Busch suffered severe leg injuries when he crashed into an unprotected concrete retaining wall during the NASCAR XFINITY Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway in February.
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“Following February and the completion of Speedweeks in Daytona, International Speedway Corporation, in conjunction with NASCAR, initiated a thorough review and audit of impact-absorbing technologies at our properties,” said John Saunders, International Speedway Corporation president. “Based on those findings, ISC will install approximately 54,000 linear feet of additional SAFER Barrier at its facilities. From now through the end of 2016, ISC will work with Cheaha Construction, Smith Fence Company, and North Industrial Machine, all certified organizations with the University of Nebraska, on this installation.
“As safety remains at the forefront, ISC will continue to work with NASCAR to evaluate specific locations inside the turns for future safety enhancements.”
After Busch’s crash Feb. 21, speedway president Joie Chitwood III vowed to encircle the 2.5-mile Daytona track with the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) system, a project on target for completion before next February’s Daytona 500. Daytona’s safety advancements ahead of this weekend’s events were highlighted Friday in an update about ongoing construction for the Daytona RISING frontstretch seating project.
Chitwood said that the track had added more than 200,000 of pavement in run-off areas near the pit-road exit toward Turn 1 and from the exit of Turn 4 toward pit-road entry. The asphalt was placed to help drivers scrub off speed or regain control in a skid.
Chitwood also said that SAFER barriers were added along the entire outside retaining wall on the backstretch and beyond pit-road exit and pit-road entrance. The inside wall where Busch hit on the short chute before Turn 1 was also realigned.