| Since Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash into the outside wall | | | | bigger roll cage and further-in cockpit, unquestionably |
| at Daytona in 2001, NASCAR has stepped up its | | | | provided greater protection. Drivers are still troubled |
| safety measures by leaps and bounds. In the three | | | | with the lack of peripheral vision caused by the |
| years before Earnhardt's death, three other drivers | | | | confined HANS device. And gaps remain at tracks |
| had been killed. There have been none since '01. | | | | where SAFER barriers need to be installed-at places |
| The last five years have seen a dramatic increase in | | | | where accidents are likely to occur, such as the Las |
| driver protection, which had been in the works since | | | | Vegas wall where Jeff Gordon crashed, or the |
| the late 1990s and has accelerated of late. The HANS | | | | backstretch area at Pocono where simple guard rails |
| (Head and Neck System) device, SAFER (Steel and | | | | invite disaster. But the COT is here to stay after what |
| Foam Energy Reduction) barrier, and the formerly | | | | happened at Texas. |
| labeled the Car of Tomorrow (COT) are the most | | | | Accidents are part of racing, and that hasn't changed |
| major improvements implemented since '02. | | | | since NASCAR's safety innovation was augmented. |
| The latest recipient of NASCAR's proactive stance is | | | | Many drivers involved in those wrecks went home in |
| Sprint Cup rookie Michael McDowell, who took over | | | | far better condition than what their predecessors |
| for David Reutimann in the No. 00 Toyota when | | | | endured. There is still no COT for the Nationwide or |
| Reutimann replaced Dale Jarrett in the 44 Camry at | | | | Craftsman Truck series, although a newer version of |
| Michael Waltrip Racing. During qualifying for the April 6 | | | | the car is expected to be ready for Nationwide drivers |
| Samsung 500, McDowell crashed head-on into a "soft | | | | by '09. |
| wall" at around 190 mph. The car caught fire and hit | | | | For some observers, McDowell's wreck ends the |
| the SAFER barrier twice more as it tumbled, swerved, | | | | debate over whether annoying "inconveniences" of the |
| and flipped up to 13 times (accounts vary) in one of | | | | COT and HANS device are worth the expense and |
| the most severe and life-threatening wrecks in racing | | | | aggravation. It may be harder for drivers to pass and |
| annals. Ty Norris, general manager at MWR, called it | | | | the competition may have suffered, but teams are |
| the worst wreck he'd seen in 20 years. Amazingly, | | | | expected to solve those shortcomings in time. |
| McDowell walked away with a limp but was otherwise | | | | Safety was first priority in building the COT. The next |
| unhurt. The new barrier probably saved his life and | | | | stage is to improve the racing, i.e., make the cars |
| definitely prevented serious injury. It cost $20,000 to | | | | handle better, bring about side-by-side racing, and allow |
| replace and repair the six-ton, 28-foot section-money | | | | drivers to attempt and make more passes from |
| well spent said a relieved Eddie Gossage, president of | | | | different angles. In other words, make the sport more |
| Texas Motor Speedway. | | | | competitive and entertaining. Patience is needed; |
| Sore but without a scratch, McDowell, 23, was able to | | | | otherwise, stock car racing could decline drastically |
| complete his qualifying run the next day in a back-up | | | | over the next few years. |
| car. On Sunday afternoon he finished his second | | | | We've seen how the COT can save lives and |
| career Cup race in 33rd place. | | | | prevent broken bones. It hasn't been shown whether |
| Did the new car prevent further harm to McDowell? | | | | drivers-with a new and stronger sense of security-will |
| Almost certainly, although no one is certain what would | | | | become more reckless and take more risks on the |
| have happened in the older model. The COT, with its | | | | racetrack. |