NASCAR director responds to Ryan Preece’s safety fears after another frightening crash involving a Next-Gen Car. The issue of cars going airborne has raised serious concerns, with multiple incidents sparking urgent discussions. Ryan Preece recently spoke out, questioning why his car lifted off the ground after a head-on impact. NASCAR officials have now addressed the situation, but is their response enough? With past crashes still fresh in fans’ minds, the debate over safety in the sport continues to grow.
Key Highlights
- Ryan Preece’s violent crash at Daytona led NASCAR to initiate emergency talks with RFK Racing for safety evaluations.
- NASCAR and RFK Racing are collaborating to investigate mechanical and aerodynamic factors of the Next-Gen car’s lift-off issues.
- The investigation focuses on the structural integrity and lift-off speed of Next-Gen cars to prevent future airborne incidents.
- Preece’s disbelief at the crash dynamics highlights urgent safety concerns and the need for improved protocols.
- NASCAR is committed to refining safety standards following persistent airborne incidents with the Next-Gen car.
Ryan Preece’s Terrifying Wrecks at Daytona
Ryan Preece’s experiences at Daytona International Speedway highlight the inherent dangers associated with high-speed racing. Over the past three years, he has been involved in two harrowing crashes at the track, emphasizing the risks that accompany NASCAR’s exhilarating events.
In August 2023, while driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, Preece’s No. 41 lost control and barrel-rolled ten times after being pushed into the infield grass, illustrating the precarious nature of high-speed tactics.
Two years later, history repeated itself when Preece, then with RFK Racing, encountered another airborne incident during the Daytona 500, prompted by contact with Erik Jones‘ car.
Such recurrent accidents have raised considerable safety concerns among fans and drivers similarly, urging NASCAR to reflect on its safety protocols. These incidents have not only marked Preece’s career but have also sparked broader discussions on the necessity for improved safety measures in a sport that thrives on speed and competition.
NASCAR Next-Gen Car’s Troubling History of Going Airborne
The troubling history of NASCAR’s Next-Gen car going airborne has become a prominent concern within the racing community, prompting calls for urgent safety evaluations. Recent incidents involving Corey LaJoie and Josh Berry, coupled with Ryan Preece’s frightening ordeal, highlight the persistent issue of these vehicles becoming airborne during races.
In 2024, Corey LaJoie’s No. 7 Chevrolet dramatically flipped several times on the grass at Michigan, while Josh Berry’s car violently launched into the air at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 race, hitting the outside wall before landing.
Preece, reflecting on his recent crash, admitted the experience was more severe than his 2023 incident, which had resulted in considerable injuries. Despite not requiring hospitalization this time, Preece’s crash has reignited safety debates.
NASCAR’s Response and RFK Racing’s Role in Investigation
In the aftermath of Ryan Preece’s alarming crash, NASCAR has swiftly initiated a thorough investigation to address the pressing safety concerns surrounding the Next-Gen car.
NASCAR race director Jusan Hamilton publicly outlined the procedural steps taken, highlighting that the initial investigation was conducted onsite by their safety team, including experts like Dr. John Patalak and Matt Harper.
“We did not bring it back to the R&D center… Our safety team was on the ground – Dr. John Patalak, Matt Harper, David Green… They did a preliminary investigation on the 60 car, looked over it.” – Jusan Hamilton
Significantly, NASCAR collaborated with RFK Racing, of which Brad Keselowski is the new team owner, to explore deeper into the incident.
RFK Racing’s involvement is critical, as they provide crucial insights into the mechanical and aerodynamic factors that contributed to the car’s unexpected airborne path.
“Tuesday morning, our safety team went over to RFK Racing… had a meeting at 8:30 am. They looked at the car, met with the team… they are still going through that data.” – Jusan Hamilton
Ryan Preece’s own observations, expressing disbelief at the car’s lift during a head-on impact, emphasize the gravity of the situation.
“Honestly, with a hit like that, a head-on impact, I don’t really think it should’ve gone airborne, right? So, I’m lucky to walk away… Something needs to be done.” – Ryan Preece
The integration of feedback from RFK Racing guarantees a detailed understanding, aiming to improve future safety standards and prevent recurrence of such perilous incidents.
NASCAR’s Investigation into the Safety Concerns
Amid growing concerns over the safety of the Next-Gen cars, NASCAR has initiated an exhaustive investigation into the factors contributing to Ryan Preece’s crash, highlighting the importance of understanding these vehicles’ structural integrity and aerodynamic behavior.
Jusan Hamilton, reflecting on preliminary findings, noted that the car’s structure performed admirably, indicating robustness in design. Emphasizing that the NASCAR Next-Gen car was engineered with catastrophic wrecks in mind, the central section’s resilience was praised, aligning with driver feedback.
“The preliminary feel is that the car held up pretty well and the structure is in a good spot… I wouldn’t say that this was exactly a blowover.” – Jusan Hamilton
However, the aerodynamic aspects, specifically the lift-off speed, remain under scrutiny. Dr. John Patalak oversees safety engineering, ensuring structural soundness, while Dr. Jacuzi leads efforts to optimize aerodynamic stability.
“One note on the Next-Gen car – the original design has stayed true throughout the iterations as it got more safe. According to driver feedback, this car, especially the center section, was built for catastrophic wrecks… When we have cars getting on their roofs, we have two items – one is safety, the safety engineering team is led by Dr. John Patalak and then the aero side of it, led by Dr. Jacuzi… Safety – we feel good about – but the aero side, they have been working on increasing the lift-off speed.” – Jusan Hamilton
The investigation aims to mitigate future risks, acknowledging the urgency given the alarming frequency of wrecks, such as those witnessed at the Daytona 500. NASCAR’s commitment to refining both safety and aerodynamics is essential in preventing similar incidents.
Daytona 500’s Rising Wreck Fest and Driver Frustration
As NASCAR grapples with the ongoing investigation into the safety of Next-Gen cars following Ryan Preece’s violent crash, concerns about the Daytona 500‘s rising wreck fest have come to the forefront.
Traditionally celebrated as a display of racing skill, the Daytona 500 now sees an escalating frequency of accidents, exacerbated by the introduction of restrictor-plate racing. This shift has caused cars to race in tightly packed formations, increasing the likelihood of multi-car collisions.
Denny Hamlin, a seasoned victor of the event, voiced his dissatisfaction, lamenting how the race has devolved into a game of chance rather than ability. He emphasized the reliance on avoiding wrecks over demonstrating driving expertise.
“It’s such a (expletive) c—shoot now. I hate that what is supposed to be our most prestigious race, a showcase of heroes, is luck. It is luck. I don’t care how else you want to say it. It is luck. It’s luck because … you just have to avoid the wrecks. … I’ve grown really, really agitated with how we’ve gotten here.” – Denny Hamlin
As safety concerns mount, NASCAR faces intense stress to reassess the impact of the Next-Gen car on race dynamics.
News in Brief: NASCAR Director Responds to Ryan Preece’s Safety Fears
Ryan Preece’s alarming crash at Daytona emphasizes urgent concerns about the safety of NASCAR’s Next-Gen cars, particularly their tendency to become airborne during high-speed impacts. This incident has prompted NASCAR to engage in emergency discussions with RFK Racing to address these critical safety issues.
As the frequency of accidents at the Daytona 500 increases, drivers’ frustration mounts, highlighting the pressing need for thorough investigations and effective solutions to improve safety and prevent further incidents on the racetrack.
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