NASCAR Pit Road Danger

[OldSchool+]

Well, another race, another couple of crewmen struck on pit road.

It sure seems ludicrous. The pit road speed was enacted to keep those guys from getting hurt--which they did--and worse--before it was in place.

So now, do the pit road speed until the last second and lock up the brakes and hope you stop. Or power out of there, running over your guys or someone elses. Or clip a car, maybe he will run over them.

NO penalties. Lose a tire, have your driver leave with a jackbolt wrench, those are penalties.

Mow down/maim crewmen and no problem.

[OldSchool+]

Solutions

They are many.

>Anyone who touches another car or crewman, with or without damage, loses 5 laps, no lucky dogs.

They would be more polite after that.

>The usual "who knows what that means NASCAR rule": If NASCAR thinks you are too fast or dangerous, same penalty.

>Mandatory Yellows. Send them all to the garage and have them put 'em on lifts.

Whatever, it is barbaric, and it should stop, IMO.

[Weftracing96]

You are talking about NASCAR right? That stuff is still on?

[exnyer]

You can never completely eliminate the danger of pit road, I am sure if nascar wants to make the races even more boring they could have the crew members not leave the wall until the car is parked in a pit stall or they just could just make mandatory pit stops every 35 to 50 laps. Either way I am sure they will find a way to make the races more of a snoozefest.

Is that the second time this year that keslowski has mowed down his pit crew?

I used to watch nascar and enjoy the races..... now I just watch it for the wrecks.

[OldSchool+]

So, you tune in for the crashes on the track & guys getting mowed down on pit lane is "okay" so it won't be a "snoozefest?".

C'mon now, that can't be it...

What would your suggestions be?

[bubba]

Nobody was hurt, we should move on. Its dangerous on pit road. More contrived rules and nonsense is exactly what we don't need.

[OldSchool+]

Seriously?

Everyone was hand-wringing when they thought cute little Austin might have been injured.

And the attorneys for those in the stands are raising NASCAR's awareness regarding catch fences and proximity to the racetrack.

Annnnd there are those (no offense, it is your prerogative) that don't want to race at certain venues because there is a good chance of having to repair the car afterwards.

But the life and limb of those in the pits... "it's just dangerous", oh well.

Maybe Bobby D wasn't so far off with his coliseum thing.

Sad, IMO.

[jbonez21]

Well, another race, another couple of crewmen struck on pit road.

It sure seems ludicrous. The pit road speed was enacted to keep those guys from getting hurt--which they did--and worse--before it was in place.

So now, do the pit road speed until the last second and lock up the brakes and hope you stop. Or power out of there, running over your guys or someone elses. Or clip a car, maybe he will run over them.

NO penalties. Lose a tire, have your driver leave with a jackbolt wrench, those are penalties.

Mow down/maim crewmen and no problem.

Accidents are part of racing as they are any sport. A bat boy just passed away getting hit by a players warmup swing. A man almost got eaten by a shark in a surfing competition.

But yet you argue about safety anytime something dangerous happens in a NASCAR race. That pit road and restrictor plate racing is too dangerous.

If it's really that bothersome that you come here and cry safety anytime something minor happens in NASCAR then there are probably mellower sports with less danger for you to watch.

[OldSchool+]

Sure, but I love auto racing.

These are, IMO, unnecessary risks.

Local tracks require belts to be updated, window nets, fuel cells, cages on sprint cars...

Why? In the fifties the order of business was "So-- don't crash".

Why not run Watson roadsters with lap belts at Daytona and have the flagman on the track?

Because people were injured and killed.

This is simply an unnecessary risk, imo.

Am here for the on track wheel to wheel competition, not to see someone get hurt.

Oh yeah, we need a decent soft wall between pit road and the track before handfuls of people get taken out.

You, of course, are welcome to your opinion and your right to state it.

[jacko241]

Personally, I wish they didn't have pit road speed limits. I use to love watching them coming flying on to pit road.

[bubba]

Didnt care too much about Austin Dillon personally - i felt like everything did its job and he walked away. Was more concerned about the fans in the stands. Same way i feel about the pit road stuff. You will not be able to eliminate the risk without screwing up the sport. They have done plenty - some of which has impacted the sport negatively (speed limit on pit road) but was a necessity - in my opinion. I feel like they have done enough with the cars/walls. It reminds me of what they are doing in college football with targeting calls that are unnecessary - if you take the risk out, it changes the game. Now they shouldn't have "civilians" right up on pit wall like they were when mighty kasey struck out - but other than that - let em play. All is good.

[OldSchool+]

Joe,

Was at Atlanta I believe and saw a 16 year old with a pit board lose his life.

Don't wish to have that happen again.

At the very least decent height pit walls and the guys need to stay behind it until the car has stopped.

[jacko241]

I just remember when what Ernest Hemmingway said about auto racing was true.

[OldSchool+]

True, but I also feel good every time I see your belts and net are fastened securely.

[exnyer]

True, but I also feel good every time I see your belts and net are fastened securely.

OS, I do not wish anyone to get hurt on purpose at racetracks, but accidents happen, Nascar has become so boring to watch with all of the rules, the excitement is gone.

Keslowski ran over some crew guys, the guys with the dump cans spill a little fuel and there is a fire, accidents happen, look what happened with kahne, he was not even on pit road. When you have a 3000 lb car at 200 mph, there is not much that will stop it, and when it meets a 200 lb human well.....

There is no need for more rules, it is simple to eliminate the accidents, stop racing. Remember you are still safer at the racetrack or strapped into a car, rather than driving on 1-4.