The old adage ‘its all fun and games until someone loses an eye’ may have come from the wrestling matches of Ancient Rome but it is just as true today as it was then.

When NASCAR teams and hardcore race fans converge on a race track everyone involved knows there are risks in this sport. Drivers know they could lose their lives, crew members know they could get run over on pit road and fans should know that debris can cause serious injuries to those in the stands.

Over the years, NASCAR has continuously implemented new safety measures in an attempt to keep everyone safe every weekend. Drivers now wear HANS devices, tracks have added SAFER barriers to the retaining walls and crew members are required to wear helmets if they go over the wall.

The spring race at Talladega was just another reminder that this is a dangerous sport for everyone involved. When Carl Edwards’ car went airborne into the catch fence both he and the spectators nearby could have been killed. Luckily, everyone came away with their lives.

In hopes of further reducing the risk of injuries to fans, both Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway have agreed to raise the height of their catch fences to 22 feet, an eight foot increase from the previous 14 foot fences. The new fencing is in place at Dega for this weekend’s NASCAR events.

Also, Talladega went a step further and partnered with InStadiumSolutions (ISS) to implement a text-messaging service for fans in case of an emergency. The system is in place at all International Speedway Corporation tracks and was debuted at Darlington Raceway in May.

“In our continuing efforts to provide thrilling and safe guest experiences, we are extremely pleased to debut this innovative technology at Talladega this weekend.  It further demonstrates our focus on providing a safe, enjoyable and unforgettable race experience for our guests,” Talladega Superspeedway President Rick Humphrey said.  “ISS’ text messaging system allows fans to communicate instantly with our command center and receive immediate assistance at their location.  We are glad to work with ISS on this important customer service initiative for all our race fans.”

Signage placed around the facility will display the texting instructions and they will also be broadcast through audio and video announcements.

Everyone wants to be safe at a NASCAR race and each new program helps the sport in this endeavor. 

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