| Two weeks ago at the Talladega Superspeedway, | | | | Bettenhausen's car at the Indy 500. The tire sailed 30 |
| Carl Edwards' No. 99 Ford was sent airborne as his | | | | feet to the top row of the grandstand killing |
| car sailed into the wall and safety fence, showering | | | | Kurtenbach, who was the 10th spectator killed in Indy |
| the stands with debris. The catch-fencing held, and | | | | 500 history. |
| Edwards climbed from his burning car with barely a | | | | In July of 1998, three people were killed and six others |
| scratch, but several people were injured by the debris. | | | | were injured at the CART U.S. 500 at Michigan |
| Officials said seven fans sustained non-life-threatening | | | | International Speedway when a hurling tire and other |
| injuries (including a woman who suffered a broken | | | | car parts went hurling into the grandstand. This marked |
| jaw) and an eighth fan seated in the same section had | | | | the first time in more than a decade spectators were |
| an undisclosed medical issue. Two of the fans were | | | | killed at a major race. After this incident NASCAR |
| taken by helicopter to the hospital. Despite the injuries | | | | modified its safety standards by extending the safety |
| sustained it was fortunate there were not more | | | | fences at the high-banked 2-mile oval before the next |
| serious injuries or even deaths. | | | | race that August. In May of 1999, three fans were |
| Talladega has been a polarizing venue in the | | | | killed and eight were injured at the Irl VisionAire 500 at |
| NASCAR safety debate. It was there in 1987 that | | | | Concord, N.C. (for all intents and purposes NASCAR's |
| legend Bobby Allison was involved in an eerily similar | | | | own backyard) when debris from a crash flew into the |
| wreck that ripped a 150 foot hole in the catch-fence at | | | | stands. So while NASCAR has managed to avoid |
| the front of the grandstand near the finish line, | | | | such scenarios, they are a very real possibility. |
| scattering debris into the crowd. Like Edwards, Allison | | | | Most racing fans are aware of the threats posed by a |
| was able to walk away while some fans sustained | | | | serious accident. Whether it's a 3,500 pound airborne |
| injuries. | | | | car careening towards them or debris showering the |
| It was Allison's 1987 wreck that prompted the restrictor | | | | stands after a wreck, the risk of death and or injury |
| plates designed to slow down the cars the following | | | | are constantly present. However, the reality is that at |
| year at Talladega. Over the years further safety | | | | the same time most spectators are unlikely to view it |
| regulations have been put into place to protect both | | | | as a serious risk, and many do not have an issue |
| the fans and the drivers, such as the switch to Steel | | | | sitting very close to the track. Monday, after Carl |
| and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers, but in | | | | Edwards' crash at Talladega, NASCAR commented |
| light of last Sunday's events perhaps the time has | | | | on its commitment to spectator safety and possible |
| arrived for NASCAR to further modify its safety | | | | penalties for unsafe driving. Rick Humphrey, president |
| standards to protect its fans and drivers. Edwards' | | | | of Talladega Superspeedway, said he'll examine |
| crash on Sunday came very close to tragedy; had his | | | | whether the fences should be built higher. Reviewing |
| car reached a slightly higher elevation and cleared the | | | | the Edwards crash, it might be a good idea to increase |
| wall entirely it is quite possible that the catch-fencing | | | | the height of both the SAFER barrier and the catch |
| would not have held and a very real tragedy might | | | | fencing at many tracks. |
| have occurred. As it was, it was a very close call. | | | | The restrictor plates used at the Daytona and |
| NASCAR has been very fortunate to have no fan | | | | Talladega to slow the cars down and help limit the |
| fatalities at a major race, however spectator deaths | | | | potential for fatal collisions have themselves become a |
| are certainly not without precedent in other premier | | | | constant source of debate in regards to safety. The |
| racing series. In 1955, more than 80 spectators, including | | | | fact is that while they limit speeds somewhat, they |
| driver Pierre Levegh were killed in the worst auto | | | | also artificially bunch the field and lead to bump drafting, |
| racing accident in history at Le Mans in France when | | | | where one car constantly runs into the car in front of it |
| Levegh's car flew into the stands. In 1957, Alfonso de | | | | and pushes both cars around the track faster than |
| Portago and co-driver Ed Nelson along with 10 | | | | they could otherwise achieve in open air. Drivers have |
| spectators were killed at the Mille Miglia, a famed road | | | | complained for years that this leads to an ever |
| race in Italy. In 1961, fourteen fans and driver Wolfgang | | | | present threat of serious accident, and sure enough |
| von Trips were killed at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. | | | | there a major incidents involving significant numbers of |
| In 1975, four fans were killed when Rolf Stommolen's | | | | cars at virtually every restrictor plate race. It has to be |
| car veered off course at the Spanish Grand Prix in | | | | seriously questioned whether a set of rules that leads |
| Barcelona at the Montijuich street circuit. In October of | | | | to the constant close proximity of large numbers of |
| 1977, two fans died at the Japanese Grand Prix in Fuji | | | | cars, and requires constant contact between fast, |
| when Gilles Villeneuve's car veered off the road and | | | | heavy and less than nimble machines to be |
| landed in a restricted area. In 1987, spectator Lyle | | | | competitive, is a safe way to go racing. |
| Kurtenbach was struck by a tire that flew off Tony | | | | |