Safety Initiatives

NASCAR is committed to safety and uses a number of technical and procedural systems to keep the sport as safe as possible. Many of the technical safety initiatives in NASCAR take place at the NASCAR Research & Development Center in North Carolina, where new technologies are researched and tested on a regular basis.

• Helmets and Fire Suits -- Drivers and crew members are required to wear helmets and fire-resistant uniforms.

• Fire Suppression -- In the event of a fire during an accident, NASCAR racecars are equipped with fire suppression systems in both the cockpit and fuel cell areas of the car.

• Roof Flaps -- A NASCAR racecar is equipped with roof flaps, which create wind resistance that helps to slow the car when it is spun.

• Seat Design -- The cars' seats, in conjunction with their seatbelt harness systems, are designed to keep the driver secure in the seat and cockpit area. Each seat is custom-fitted to the driver's body, maximizing their stability and helping to prevent them from being jostled around during an incident.

• Seat Restraints -- Drivers are kept in their seats with a secure harness. To help in lessening injuries during an incident, a mandated Head and Neck Support (HANS) device helps to keep the driver's head from severe movement during impact.

• SAFER Barriers -- Developed specifically to help protect drivers during accidents, Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers consist of rectangular steel tubes backed by foam blocks that are installed in front of a track's traditional cement retaining walls. When a car meets the wall at high speeds, the SAFER wall assists in absorbing the energy of the impact. This helps reduce the impact forced upon the driver.