NASCAR retools safety rules in light of Earnhardt death

Johnny Phelps

CNNSI.com's Johnny Phelps has been covering the NASCAR report, released Tuesday, into the death of driver Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500 in February.

Q: NASCAR will now require "black boxes" -- data recorders -- in each car. What exactly will those boxes record?

A: The data recorders will provide information just as "black boxes" do in airline crashes. In the case of an auto crash, it will give investigators information as to the speed of the car, the angle of impact, etc., and both of those aspects were very important in the re-creation of the Earnhardt accident as explained by the investigators.

Q: What are the specific safety recommendations that NASCAR is making and how likely will they be implemented by drivers?

A: NASCAR says it won't rush to make changes just for the sake of making changes but will take the data learned from this investigation to better understand what safety measures should be initiated. NASCAR will initiate a medical liaison to work with local medical personnel at tracks around the country. NASCAR feels that local personnel have better knowledge of trauma centers and medical facilities near a specific speedway. The liaison person will begin in the 2002 season.

Q: Was there any one single factor that contributed to the death of Dale Earnhardt?

A: No, Dale Earnhardt died as the result of several factors coming together in a specific sequence, including a car-to-car collision with the Kenny Schrader car (#36), the precise angle of impact with the wall in turn 4 at Daytona International Speedway, and his torn lap belt ... again all happening in a particular order in a particular time frame.

Q: Why would NASCAR NOT require drivers to wear head and neck restraints?

A: NASCAR has strongly recommended the use of head and neck restraints, but Winston Cup drivers range from 6-foot-4 to 5-foot-5, and in the case of restraint systems, what works for one person, might not work for another. Only seven drivers wore a head and neck safety device in the Daytona 500, but 41 of 43 drivers wore a device at last Sunday's race at Michigan, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., for the first time.