NASCAR is Striving For Safety

Engines roaring, the smell of burning rubber and the faint aroma of victory, that's what NASCAR is all about. Fans screaming as cars are almost flying by at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The fans rooting for their favorite to reach the number one spot, almost as if they alone are fueling the cars to reach the lead.

With all of the excitement and the adrenalin flowing through the driver's as they are all striving to achieve the first place spot, traveling at speed nearly 185 miles an hour, one small mishap could very well end it all for any of the competitors. With so many racers trying to gain the ideal spot, at the speeds they travel, it is almost a guarantee there is going to be an accident. All it takes is one driver to misjudge a turn or another car, and devastation could unfold.

Because so much can go wrong and turn a family outing into an overwhelming and life altering experience. For spectators and contenders alike. NASCAR is doing its very best to ensure the safety of its drivers and of the individual that come to enjoy the show. On a regular basis NASCAR continues to update and improve their standards for safety. Thankfully, NASCAR has such high standards for safety, otherwise many might not have been so lucky, and recovered from a crash.

One of the main safety features of a NASCAR is the frame itself. There are clips in both the front and rear of the vehicles, that absolutely have to be made of thin steel tubing. The tubing is not as solid as it once was. The thinner clips allows for a less severe impact for the driver, as the clips will crush instead of attempting to resist against the force. In the middle of the racecars are roll cages. The frame for the roll bar is made from a strong reinforced metal. The stronger the metal, the better resistance against impact. The goal of the roll cage is to keep the driver protected in the event there is a crash.

There are other mandated safety features throughout the racecars. A NASCA driver's seat is specifically designed to aid in the equally distributing the forceful impact of an accident, throughout the vehicle. This should minimize the possibility of injury for the driver. The seatbelts that are found in a racecar are not your typical belts. In your vehicle, you more than likely have a two-strap belt. One over the shoulder and the other over the lap. Well, in a NASCAR you will find a more complex stabilizing seat belt system. This holds the driver in one place if there is an accident.

If you have ever been in an auto accident, odds are that you remember noticing a lot of glass from the windshield. This could be very dangerous, especially if the crash occurs at speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour. For this reason, NASCAR mandates the use of Lexan as the windshield. Lexan is the same material that is used for making riot shields for the police departments and helmets. This material is stronger than glass, and has a less chance of shattering and or breaking in the event of a collision.

Jon Ryan
http://www.mynascarracingsite.com
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