Crashes are always a risk in NASCAR racing; auto racing is an inherently dangerous sport, after all. While everyone acknowledges this risk; it isn't at all uncommon for there to be at least one crash in any given NASCAR race. Some NASCAR racetracks are notoriously dangerous, with there being an uncommonly high incidence of crashes, even fatal ones at these venues. While some enjoy the sport despite the risk of accidents, others are actually drawn to NASCAR at least in part because of the crashes.
As has always been the case in auto racing of any sort, there are a significant number of fans who are in it for the crashes. They thrill to the speed and the crashes and near-crashes; it's a drama which keeps them on the edge of their seats. However, crashes aren't actually a good thing for NASCAR's popularity over the long run - crashes can and have lead to the deaths of drivers and even fans.
The last decade has seen NASCAR putting a number of safety measures into place designed to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from the sport. The impetus for these safety procedures was the death of Dale Earnhardt, the biggest name in the sport at that time. It was this tragedy which spurred the organization to make new and improved head and neck stabilizers mandatory equipment for drivers, increase the padding used on the walls of courses and even redesign the cars used in NASCAR racing to be safer.
Change, naturally takes some time to adjust to - and when this change has to do with redesigned vehicles for NASCAR racing, time is exactly what the drivers can least afford. It's important to keep in mind that the majority of these drivers have spent their whole career in the sport on one type of car - and that auto racing is not an ideal environment for on the job training. The high speeds and crowded tracks of a NASCAR event mean that a single mistake can have disastrous consequences.
While the safety measures that the organization now requires are a welcome development which has certainly saved lives, NASCAR still has a way to go to minimize the risk to drivers and spectators at their events. Many NASCAR drivers have voiced the opinion that it's only a matter of time until there are more deaths of drivers or fans; and that the organization should take action before tragedy strikes rather than in response to such a disaster.
A recent NASCAR race was the scene of an extremely close call when a car flipped and slammed into the fence separating the track from the stands. While the fence stood up to the impact (although just barely), flying debris from the crash caused several injuries to spectators. Thankfully none of these injuries were life-threatening, but this came very close to being another tragic day for the sport.
Despite deaths, injuries and countless close calls, NASCAR racing is as popular as ever, with races regularly sold out - and many fans crowding to the front so as not to miss any crashes. NASCAR should act now to make their races as safe as humanly possible for both competitors and spectators; before more lives are lost, not after. Even though there are those NASCAR fans that live for the crashes, no one should have to die for the sake of an entertaining spectacle. One disaster could deal a blow to the sport which it could take a long time to recover from; if indeed it could come back from another serious tragedy.
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