The crunch of metal, the screech of tires, and the smell of burned rubber, coupled with large puffs of smoke and sometimes bursts of fire entrap our every sense. Best known for it's horrific wrecks that capture our attention and fascination, one would think that NASCAR is the most dangerous sport ever to be brought to life. It is indeed a dangerous sport, and with speeds reaching in excess of 200 MPH, precautions are necessary. This was no more prevalent than the most tragic day in NASCAR history, the 2001 Daytona 500, when, sans HANS (Head and Neck Support), Dale Earnhardt Senior, or to some, the venerable 'Intimidator', was killed instantly after hitting a concrete retaining wall head on. He was 49 years old, at the top of his game, and was not the first driver to have died in the exact same manner, and it just happened to be during the last lap.

Since that fateful day, the attention that NASCAR focused on it's safety was doubled. There had already been replacements from the old concrete walls to soft barriers. These are still being constructed to find the most appropriate material for their tracks. The various materials consist of plastic foam, Polyethylene pieces tied together, and something called a compression wall, which is insulated with rubber materials, and bounces back into shape after impacts. The only problem with this is that the softness often causes cars to bounce off, nearly unscathed, yet into oncoming traffic at about 180 MPH. This is one of the few safety issues that NASCAR operator Mike Helton is investigating. Some devices, and measures are already in effect, and have been for some years.

~Roof Flaps.
Two flaps atop the roof, will pop open when there is air pressure due to the car being air-born, in any way. This levels the car, keeping it from soaring higher, and keeps it on the ground, hence in control. These flaps also allow a driver to climb out of the car in a quicker manner than any other exit strategy. In this sport, mere seconds are crucial to keep a driver both safe and alive.

~Helmets.
This almost goes without saying that the drivers are equipped with helmets. Made with resin, several types of glass, carbon, Kevlar and fibers and weaves. The inner part of the helmet is made up of Nylon or Nomex (fire resistant), and Lexan (made for bullet proof glass). The helmet has chin straps, cheek pads, and a visor. Lexan is also included in the windshield of the car.

~Window nets.
Made of thick nylon webbing, the nets cover

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