Continued Next Gen Safety Concerns

The Clash is over, and we are now less than ten days away from the Daytona 500.  CBS Sports recently reported on continued next gen safety concerns, which became apparent during the Clash.  During the weekend in LA, NASCAR fans witnessed another car spontaneously combust.  Furthermore, Denny Hamlin reported issues with his HANS device locking up due to what were essentially mere bumps to the rear of the car.  Hamlin further stated that the new rear clip did little to decrease the pain associated with such bumps.

In this article, I will cover the next gen safety concerns from the 2022 season.  I will also be looking at these continued next gen safety concerns.  Finally, I will look at possible solutions to such concerns including considering changes to the head and neck restraint device in place.

First of all, I must state that I am neither a doctor nor a physicist.  I do not consider myself an expert in these areas.  Yet, some of the complaints made by drivers, as well as a basic understanding of physics, help point to a possible solution in the area of head and neck restraint.

A Review of the Safety Concerns from 2022:

The two biggest safety concerns for the next gen car in 2022 were the fires and the concussions.  Furthermore, both of these concerns ended up having effects upon the playoffs.  While safety is the biggest concern here, the integrity of the sport was also brought into question due to these concerns in 2022.

First, the concussion that Kurt Busch sustained at Pocono not only led to him not competing in the playoffs but also led to his early retirement.  Alex Bowman also missed races due to a concussion.  Kevin Harvick’s chances at competing for a second title literally went up in flames in the first round at Darlington.

The next gen safety concerns began to get more attention after this fire at Darlington.  An upset Harvick was quick to blame “crappy parts.”  Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Chase Elliott also began to talk about the safety concerns in the media.  At this time drivers began to mention the fact that the cars were too stiff.  It was theorized by many that while the next gen car was much more durable, this fact was actually transferring much of the forces involved in crashes to the driver.  Multiple drivers mentioned the fact that their HANS devices would lock in after the slightest contact to the rear bumper.

Continued Next Gen Safety Concerns at the Clash:

The Clash certainly provided a lot of beating and banging.  After the 2022 season, NASCAR made some changes to the rear clip of the next gen car in an attempt to solve the safety issues with their new car.  After the Clash, it has become clear that not all of these issues were solved.

Ty Gibbs had his #54 JGR Toyota spontaneously combust.  This was very similar to what happened with Kevin Harvick’s #4 SHR Ford Mustang at Darlington in 2022.  Denny Hamlin, who other than Harvick was perhaps the most outspoken safety advocate last year, has stated that the hits sustained during the clash were not any softer.

While many fans are upset with the Clash being held at such a short track, we should be thankful that it was held at such a short track (.25 miles). Had the cars been able to go much faster, we may very well have seen more injuries.  It is especially concerning that the small hits have such an effect upon the drivers.  So much of the force is being transferred to the driver that their HANS devices are locking.

Looking at Head and Neck Restraint for Solutions:

NASCAR began making head and neck restraint devices mandatory in 2001 following the deaths of Dale Earnhardt and Blaise Alexander.  At first, there was a competing device called the Hutchens device.  In 2005, NASCAR made the HANS device mandatory, and up until 2022, this device has done nothing but increase safety and protect drivers in the sport.

I would like to make it clear that I am not criticizing the HANS device.  It is very much necessary to prevent basal skull fractures that were ending so many drivers lives at the turn of the century.  The HANS device was proven to be the safest solution to those injuries.  The next gen car, however, is very different from the cars of days past.

Perhaps the HANS device remains the safest head and neck restraint device even today with these next gen cars.  Yet, it is difficult to hear drivers such as Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick mention that these devices are locking now on small impacts and not question them at all.  The next gen car is still a very stiff car made of more durable material.  Much more of the force is being transferred directly to the driver.

It makes sense that concussions are becoming a larger problem with the next gen car.  We can make the cars more durable.  Furthermore, we can stabilize the head and neck of the drivers further.  What we cannot do is stabilize the brain within the skull any further.  With a stiffer, tougher, more durable car, and a driver being in a more stationary position, it is rational to conclude that the force will be transferred not just to the driver’s body, but to the internal organs, especially the brain.

Conclusions:

As previously stated, I am not a doctor nor am I a physicist.  Clearly, if Denny Hamlin’s reports of the impacts at the Clash have anything to say about it, then NASCAR’s rear clip fix did not fully address the safety concerns associated with the next gen car.  Ergo, it may take some thinking outside of the box to fully address these continued next gen safety concerns.

The HANS device has been very effective in its purpose.  I do not want to be misinterpreted as saying we need to do away with it.  I think it could possibly be modified in some manner to help lessen some of the force being transferred to the driver’s brain, without being modified to the point of being detrimental to its original purpose. Regardless, if the rear clip fix isn’t working, NASCAR may want to look in the area of head/neck restraint to help alleviate some of these safety concerns.

Again, I am not an expert in this area.  Still I think it would be a good idea for experts to look in this area.  This is especially true because the drivers often mention the HANS devices “locking in” when mentioning the smaller impacts which still hurt.  Let us know what you think in the comments section below.