Sixty Seconds with Syd
By Sydney Davis
Safety first
Monday, June 9, 2008
Why does it seem like NASCAR is more concerned with policy than safety?
Sunday's race at Pocono is one example.
The cameras are following the burning 42 as Juan Pablo Montoya brings his car to a stop at pit out. As he's heading down the front straight, he's taken his window net down and unbuckling his seatbelts. You see the car come to a stop, and two guys in red fire suits stand there with fire extinguishers.
Now I'm not a firefighter, but I know several, including my cousin and uncle. From what I've picked up hanging around them is that you are supposed to use a fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire.
Montoya gets out of the car and walks away. The two guys in red fire suits don't stop to ask him if he's alright, or at least it's not apparent they ask him.
As this happens, another truck rolls up. More guys dressed in fire suits get out, and nonchalantly walk over to the car, look and then use the fire extinguisher for its designated purpose.
Now why the hype over a seemingly harmless incident? Because it very well could have been serious.
I don't care if you think a fire isn't "that" big, or if a driver can get out on his own accord. The job of those safety workers is to ensure the "safety" of the drivers at all times. They should be giving their 110% each time they are dispatched, serious incidents or not.
I applaud the TNT commentators for making a point. And NASCAR explanation wasn't even worth mentioning. If you have a crew who is looking out for the driver, they best be helping the driver out of the car, not standing 20-feet away looking out for their own personal interests.
NASCAR always says they are looking out for the safety of their drivers' but, this weekend, it didn't appear so. I have nothing against tracks providing crews, but if NASCAR is giving them reckless orders, someone, somewhere, needs to do something.
Having spent the weekend at Texas Motor Speedway for the IndyCar Series race, I have a request or two for NASCAR.
- Take a look at the IRL Safety Team. These boys and girls know what they are doing. They are on site within seconds, with their first attention going to the driver.
- Look into a traveling medical team. As a driver, I'd much rather have someone who is familiar with my medical history checking me out after a big hit to the SAFER barrier. The more information the physician has, the better the diagnosis.
- Speak with the drivers and crews, past and present, about suggestions and ideas. Get their opinions, and act on them.
For the sake of the drivers, the crews, their families and the fans, I hope NASCAR will take this incident and learn from it. Sometimes the smallest preemptive action can make a huge difference.
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