Safety again a concern in NASCAR

In the wake of Jerry Nadeau's practice accident last weekend at

Richmond, NASCAR safety issues are being re-examined.

Nadeau, whose condition has been upgraded to fair, was using all the safety equipment mandated in the wake of Dale Earnhardt's fatal Daytona crash. Like the Earnhardt accident, Nadeau's crash was an unusual combination of circumstances. The car hit almost perfectly parallel to the wall on the driver's side, transmitting much of the energy directly into the driver's "cocoon." The impact was the hardest yet recorded since NASCAR installed "black box" data recorders in the Winston Cup cars two years ago.

Chassis design is again in question, with attention focused on improving the driver's survival capsule. Cockpit size limitations preclude adding any energy absorption material in the driver's door, but by adjusting the transmission and driveline it may be possible to shift the driver closer to the center of the car. In the past couple of years seats and leg support have been improved, and NASCAR is looking at crushable materials such as aluminum foam to absorb energy in a crash. The sanctioning body has also experimented with a larger "greenhouse" to enlarge the cockpit area, but early tests showed the design to be aerodynamically unstable. At least NASCAR is addressing issues, a refreshing change from the denial and stonewalling of safety issues that used to be standard operating procedure.

There has also been much discussion about whether the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier, which is used at Indianapolis and Talladega would have lessened the impact. NASCAR has been slow to move on the technology, but has requested that the SAFER barriers be installed at New Hampshire (where Adam Petty and Kenny Irwin died three years ago) and at Richmond by the fall race. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the barriers may be necessary at short tracks.

In addition to Nadeau, other drivers have been injured recently at Richmond. Johnny Benson broke ribs there last year, Derrick Cope broke his leg, and the hit that initially injured Sterling Marlin's neck and sidelined him for the season was also at RIR. Dr. Dean Sicking of the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at the University of Nebraska has been testing a SAFER configuration for the short tracks, but has not yet determined if it is ready. Both NASCAR and most of the drivers agree that they want the barrier design to be as perfect as possible before they are installed.

There is no word on when Nadeau will be released from the hospital or when he might return to racing. His team has named Mike Wallace as relief driver until further notice. Wallace will drive in next week's Winston Open at Charlotte.

In a reprise of the musical chairs seat swap between Ricky Rudd and Elliott Sadler, a similar move occurred last week. Steve Park, long rumored to be on the way out at Dale Earnhardt, Incorporated (DEI) got his walking papers last week.

Jeff Green was also released by Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and guess what? Yep, Park is now in the No. 30 AOL car at RCR and Green has landed at DEI as driver of the No. 1 Pennzoil Chevy. Expect more changes during the season as Winston Cup teams seem to be less and less willing to work with developing a driver. If results aren't forthcoming in a fairly short period, he's history.

As this space goes to press, Indy Pole Day is about 12 hours

away. Rookie Dan Wheldon, subbing for the injured Dario Franchitti on the Andretti-Green team set fastest time during last week's practice leading up to qualifying. Wheldon was clocked at 232.202 mph barely topping the 232.007 mph posted by Takagi's Mo Nunn Racing machine. Robby Gordon was fastest on the final day at 231.362 mph in the No. 27 car, good for fifth-fastest lap of the week. Gordon will once again attempt the Indy-Charlotte "double" this Memorial Day, running both the 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 Winwston Cup event.

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk crashed on

Friday and was examined and released in good condition from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He will be re-examined Saturday at the track medical center to determine if he is fit to drive on Pole Day.

Roger Diez is the Nevada Appeal Motorsports Columnist.