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New car proved it works, but NASCAR can't rest
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This crash is a testament to the guys at NASCAR. You can argue about competition all day long, but there is one thing that is indisputable, at least at this point in time: This new car and the SAFER barriers are allowing this young man to have a choice right now as to whether he wants to go to a backup car or call it a weekend. It's his choice, and I think that's a great thing.
As a crew chief, it's hard to describe what it's like to see your best friend, somebody you care very much about, endure a crash like that. I've worked with Darrell Waltrip on several occasions and three wrecks that stick out in my mind are the 1983 Daytona 500, the wreck that broke his leg during practice at Daytona International Speedway in 1990, and the 1991 Pepsi 400 wreck on the back straightaway at Daytona. Having gone to Darrell on two out of those three occasions and going to the hospital on the third one to check on him, I know how disheartening it feels when you take a driver straight from a wrecked race car, when he doesn't know where he is or how bad he is hurt, and transport him straight to the infield care center or the hospital.
I think Bobby Kennedy and a lot of the guys that work at Michael Waltrip Racing had to breathe a sigh of relief when they saw McDowell get out of that car and walk away under his own power.
You cannot appreciate the relief and the excitement that you have in knowing that the car did its job — and that's so important. McDowell is a young man and I'm sure he hasn't endured or experienced anything of this magnitude. The car is totally destroyed — the front end, the back end, etc. But the key thing is the cockpit. I got a chance to look at his seat and I think seat maker Randy LaJoie should be patting himself on the back because he built a great seat for this young man to be riding in such a violent crash.
The belts, seat, head and neck restraints ... it all came into play today because this was the ultimate test. It was a lot like Jeff Gordon's incident at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier this year, but this time we went a couple of steps further — not only did we slam it basically head on into the wall at more than 190 mph, we took it down the racetrack tumbling and turning with the back end smacking against the wall. I feel like it was a total test for this new car because it tried to destroy the front, back, top, sides — the whole nine yards. But the key thing was that the capsule area, the cockpit area, withstood the damage and did its job.
Today was one of the greatest testaments of everything NASCAR has put into safety in recent years — the driver who walked away.
Does this mean we are out of the danger zone when it comes to bad wrecks? No. But we saw everything that you could throw at a race car, yet we all saw the images of Michael McDowell walking and speaking to NASCAR officials just minutes after the crash. It was just great to see that, and it shows that everything NASCAR has been doing concerning safety works.
We've seen some minor incidents and some bad crashes with this new car, and so far it has done really well. But after today, I think we can say that this is the type of incident NASCAR has been anticipating and planning on, and the car did its job.
| Speed Mail Jeff Hammond |
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Now we have to go back and analyze this thing from the ground up and see if we can figure out ways to make it better so that if we have an incident that is much more catastrophic, we will have the same end result we did today. There was damage, fire ... we saw it all.
I know right now a lot of people are trying to say "There was speedy dry on the track, this was not done right and that's what created this accident." That's a very valid point, but let's put that aside — accidents are going to happen no matter what the situation is. It could have been the driver making a mistake, it could have been debris and he cut a tire down, it could be oil on the racetrack. But the main focus right now should be on when something like this happens in the future, what is the end result? To our satisfaction, the result today was what we were looking for: Watching a driver walk away from a horrific accident.
I cannot impress on all of you just what this young man went through and how big a sigh of relief this team took after the incident. Even though they lost a race car, they didn't lose a driver.
FOX race analyst Jeff Hammond led Darrell Waltrip to two of DW's three Winston Cup championships as his crew chief. They also teamed to win the 1989 Daytona 500.
For autographed copies of Jeff Hammond's book "Real Men Work in the Pits" plus magnets, hats and more, check out www.dwstore.com.
For photos and appearances, visit Jeff's web site www.jeffhammond.com.
Member Comments
That's one thing I get pissed off about when all these people bash the new car, saying how it isn't competetive, bad racing ect... thats one thing Nascar and the teams will get ironed out and find a fix for, but rarely does anyone say a word about the safety side of this car, and we've had 2 hard potentially dangerous crashes, Jeff Gordon hitting the inside wall almost head on at Las Vegas, and Mike McDowells' horrific crash at Texas, and both drivers walked away unhurt. Nascar and engineers and whomever else involved get a pat on the back for such a safe car. But don't stop at that, keep working on it. The racing will get better... as long as there are drivers left to get them better.
pirates814/23/2008 22:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
The camera on the roof of the car has a lens that will rotate horizontally by remote control which is controlled by the tv people in the tv truck. Stuff like tire rubber, water vapor coming from the cooling system overflow tubes on cars ahead, oil , from ahead, rain ect will get on the lens, and when the lens rotates there is a "wiper" that will clean the mess from the lens.
pirates814/23/2008 22:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I agree Jeff, NASCAR does not need to back down from the safety issue. Just because McDowell walked away they must not stop thinking of new ways to improve safety.<br /><br />Really though everyone owes a deep debt to Dale Earnhardt. I think NASCAR should really point that out. If he hadn't of died I'm afraid this would have never been done. Kenny Irwin and Adam Petty died but if finally took one of the biggest stars to improve the saftety.
E434/5/2008 17:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
OOPS my latest comment came thru twice, if anyone can answer the question pls do and my email is cuzinmex@hotmail.com James (cuzinmex)
cuzinmex4/5/2008 11:35:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I know they have cameras on the top of the nascars and rear and one inside that looks out the windshield, what I need to know is during the race when the car is traveling 180 mph or so and the inside camera is on , it shows the windshield and it appears that the windshield cleans itself up, it shows from left to right like something is peeling back but not at that speed, my friend said its the lens of the inside camera but that can't be, how did the lens get cruddy to start with, its like someone with a squeege cleaning the windshield. Would greatly appreciate an anser to my email address so I can print it out and show my friends I ain't crazy, it seems only myself has seen this cleaning action during a race Thanks James
cuzinmex4/5/2008 11:33:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I know they have cameras on the top of the nascars and rear and one inside that looks out the windshield, what I need to know is during the race when the car is traveling 180 mph or so and the inside camera is on , it shows the windshield and it appears that the windshield cleans itself up, it shows from left to right like something is peeling back but not at that speed, my friend said its the lens of the inside camera but that can't be, how did the lens get cruddy to start with, its like someone with a squeege cleaning the windshield.I know the pitcrew peels the layers off the windshield when the car has pitted but not while its doing 180 mph. Would greatly appreciate an answer to my email address so I can print it out and show my friends I ain't crazy, it seems only myself has seen this cleaning action during a race Thanks James
cuzinmex4/5/2008 11:32:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Peace,adam does not have a friends list!!!!!!
highspd4/5/2008 3:52:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
That had to have been one of the worst impacts I have ever seen in NASCAR. It was like a crash test. My heart goes to my throat to watch it. Yet I get a little teary eyed to see a driver walk away. Congratulations NASCAR and track owners for doing the right things to make this sport safe. Five years ago that probably would have ended a driver's life.
OneKnight644/5/2008 2:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Even on TV that was one horrific looking crash. Witnessing them in person shakes you up even more. <br /><br />Always great to see a driver walk away. Amen to all the safety features of the COT, and also the SAFER barrier.
Gerrel4/4/2008 22:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Thankyou for what Dale Sr. gave us. With his loss we have got the softer barrier and the COT. Dale in one of the saddest days in nascar history was able to give us days like oday when Michael can walk away from a crash like that. Thankyou Sr. and the #3 team.
noahspop20014/4/2008 22:08:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Yes the COT has proven to be a safer racecar but the new safer barriers have just as much to do with the outcome of crashes like McDowell took as the car. My question is would these wrecks even happen with the better handling old cars. Im not trying to start an arguement, just want other peoples opinion.
poogie014/4/2008 20:07:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
That is great that NASCAR and all have put so much money & effort into safety but will the government and auto industry do the same. The roads are getting worst and the bridges are starting to fall on their own, road construction and design invite rollovers but the Congress blocks all efforts to improve personal vehicles and simple road maintenance bills (but pass bills like the Big Dig in MASS.)..
ER14/4/2008 17:53:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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