More tracks add SAFER barriers
Vitor Meira leads past a SAFER barrier at Indianapolis.
Picture: Steve Snoddy
Three more tracks have added the SAFER barrier system to the turns of their oval courses, with more set to follow.
Texas Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and Dover Speedway have all now added the safety devices, with all of the Dover group of circuits set to follow by 2005.
Made up of steel tubes and pads of hard foam, which are affixed to the concrete walls, the SAFER barrier system was designed by Dr. Dean Sicking and a team under his direction at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The wall is designed to absorb some of the energy that is transferred during a crash. In 2003, Dr. Sicking, and his team, were honored with NASCAR's Award of Excellence for their efforts in safety.
The system debuted at Indianapolis at it its four turns in 2000.
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