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Tuesday, 29 April 2008 19:00 |
 By: Jay W. Pennell
Sprint Cup Correspondent
HardcoreRaceFans.com
Tuesday afternoon H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, joined Cup Series driver Jeff Burton to help install a new SAFER barrier. The additional SAFER barrier will run 340 feet down the inside wall on the backstretch and will be completed by the May 17th NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
Previously unprotected and rarely used, this wall will be the newest around the 1.5-mile speedway. Installation of the SAFER barriers began at Lowe’s in 2004, when 6,100 feet were put in place. A stretch of 476 feet of soft walls on the inside wall coming off Turn 2 was part of that original project, and this additional 340 feet will complete task.
SAFER is an acronym for Steel and Foam Energy Reduction. The barriers encompass rolled steel tubing, reinforced with foam blocks. Developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, SAFER barriers have become a necessity at every racetrack and have greatly reduced the number of serious injuries and deaths.
“The hard licks that Jeff Gordon and Michael McDowell took earlier this season reminded us all that bizarre and unexpected thing can happen in racing,” Wheeler explained. “This additional SAFER barrier will add more protection on our backstretch for May, and we’re looking at some additional improvements back there as well.”
Much like Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe’s has an awkward opening on the backstretch to allow emergency vehicles access to the track in the case of an incident. This opening bows the wall at a terrible angle and poses a threat to any driver sliding down the backstretch.
Wheeler explained the staff was working hard at plans to reconfigure the opening for the October Bank of America 500, but that it was protected by “encapsulated polystyrene blocks” – in Wheeler’s words, “dock buoys filled with the same stuff as the soft wall.\"
Burton, a five-time winner at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and one of the biggest safety advocates in the garage was also on hand to help with the installation. “We’re going to need this for the All-Star race,” Burton joked.
The current Cup Series points leader pointed out it is essential for everyone in the sport to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to safety. “Always assume you’re behind,” he argued. “A race track can never provide more than enough tools to make racing safe…This is a huge investment on the track, one with no return on the dollar, but it sure makes a difference to the drivers.” ![](\"/images/stories/hcrflogo.jpg\")
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