To be honest, I believe rules were already in place, to some degree, at all or most tracks (NASCAR and non-NASCAR) that dictate what should or should not be done during and after a wreck. But the heat of the moment is one of those things that helps drive ratings and make for great teaser clips on TV. (How many times have we seen Kurt Busch bend over and pat his own ass at Indy when (was it...) Jimmy Spencer (??) drives by under caution?).
Be it as it may, it had to be addressed and left unsaid.
It's been a sad, sad week this week. From the err in judgement that caused a young man's life, to the passing of Robin Williams, who apparently impacted millions of folks, it's been a sad week.
)via NASCAR press release
Daytona Beach,
Fla.
(Aug. 15, 2014) — In its continued efforts to evolve the safety of its sport, NASCAR announced Friday
that it will add a rule that addresses on-track incidents as part of
its race procedures. The rule, listed as Section 9-16, will be an
addendum to the
NASCAR rule book and will apply to all of its racing series, effective
immediately.
Section 9-16 On-Track Incident Procedure
During
an Event, if a racecar is involved in an on-track incident and/or is
stopped on or near the racing surface and
unable to continue to make forward progress, unless extenuating
emergency conditions exist with the racecar (i.e. fire, smoke in
cockpit, etc.) the driver should take the following steps:
·
Shut off electrical power and, if driver is uninjured, lower window net
·
Do not loosen, disconnect or remove any driver personal safety equipment until directed to do so by safety personnel
or a NASCAR/Track Official
·
After being directed to exit the racecar, the driver should proceed to either the ambulance, other vehicle, or as otherwise
directed by safety personnel or a NASCAR/Track Official
·
At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach any portion of the racing surface or apron
·
At no time should a driver or crew member(s) approach another moving vehicle
All
vehicles not involved in the incident or that are able to continue
afterwards should slow down to a cautious speed
as outlined in Section 10-4 (Yellow Flag), use extreme care as they
approach an incident scene, and follow any directions given by safety
personnel or NASCAR/Track Officials. Cars in line behind the safety car
should not weave or otherwise stray from the line
in the vicinity of the incident.
Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition and racing development, says the rule is “part of the evolution
of NASCAR’s rules and regulations.”
“Throughout
the history of our sport, NASCAR has reviewed and analyzed situations
and occurrences that take place not
just in NASCAR racing but also throughout all motorsports and other
sports,” said Pemberton. “When we believe we can do something to make
our sport safer and better for the competitors and others involved in
the competition environment, we react quickly.
Safety always has been priority number one at NASCAR.”
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