Phoenix latest track to add protective barriers

Phoenix International Raceway is the latest track to enhance protective measures on the walls surrounding its racing surface.

Prior to its March 15 NASCAR weekend Phoenix will install tire packs along the exterior Turn 4 wall. The decision to cover the front of the concrete wall follows an inspection by track personnel and NASCAR officials.

“The additional protective barrier represents PIR’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe racing environment for its drivers, teams and fans,” PIR president Bryan R. Sperber said in a statement. “PIR will continue to work in tandem with NASCAR to expedite the adoption of additional impact-absorbing technologies, as deemed necessary, at our facility.”

Phoenix follows Daytona International Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway and Kentucky Speedway as venues that have announced additional safety measures including the installation of SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers.

The modifications follow Kyle Busch slamming into an unprotected concrete wall during an Xfinity Series race at Daytona. He suffered a broken right leg and left foot and is out indefinitely. In the aftermath of the accident, Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick were outspoken about the need for tracks to cover every wall with SAFER barriers.

But even as tracks scramble to increase driver safety, improvements are still needed. Atlanta placed tire barriers along the inside of its Turn 4 wall, yet Jeff Gordon still smacked a bare backstretch concrete wall during last Sunday’s race. Gordon was uninjured, but voiced his displeasure about the lack of SAFER barriers.

“I don’t think we can say any more after Kyle’s incident at Daytona,” Gordon said. “Everybody knows we have to do something and it should have been done a long time ago. All we can do now is hope they do it as fast as they possibly can.”