NASCAR: Atlanta

***Panther_99FS*** · March 3rd, 2015, 05:34

Man....Gordon just can't escape the bad luck that's plagued him for the last few years....

***P51FAN*** · March 3rd, 2015, 07:07

Originally Posted by Panther_99FS

Man....Gordon just can't escape the bad luck that's plagued him for the last few years....

And again with the SAFER barriers:

NASCAR says implementing SAFER remains "highest priority": In the wake of #24-Jeff Gordon smacking a concrete wall Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a NASCAR executive said SAFER barrier development remained "the highest priority for the sport." Gordon was unhurt after his #24 3M Chevy was destroyed by heavy contact with an inside wall unprotected by the energy-absorbing barrier that NASCAR has mandated for many sections of tracks. "It was just another reminder how important it is," NASCAR executive vice president and chief development officer Steve O'Donnell said of Gordon's crash Monday morning on "The Morning Drive" on SiriusXM Radio's NASCAR channel. O'Donnell said NASCAR had dispatched staff members to the West Coast, where the circuit is headed for races at Las Vegas, Phoenix and Auto Club Speedway. Tire barriers were erected along the interior pit lane walls at Atlanta after Busch's crash. "We'll employ temporary solutions anywhere we can (with) SAFER everywhere it's feasible," he said. "Obviously there are places that presents a challenge, but that's the highest priority. We have follow-up meetings with all of the ISC tracks. We talked with Marcus Smith (president of Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns Atlanta and six more Cup tracks), and they know the urgency." During the multicar accident, the cars of Denny Hamlin and Jamie McMurray also struck unprotected exterior walls on the backstretch. That prompted questions about why the tire barriers weren't implemented around the track. "Sometimes when you put a tire barrier on a straight wall on the backstretch, it has a negative effect where it can propel the car back into traffic," O'Donnell said. "There's a short-term balance, but we're trying to prioritize everything with the ultimate goal being SAFER as soon as we can." Another obstacle could be the available companies and resources to install the barriers. "The challenge is going to be, quite honestly, as I understand it from our development guys, right now there's only two companies approved to build these things," Atlanta president Ed Clark told NASCAR Talk's Dustin Long. A NASCAR official told NASCAR Talk that Clark's number was incorrect but didn't have the exact number of companies approved for such work. Clark said Atlanta should be ringed with SAFER when NASCAR returns next year.(NBC)(3-2-2015)

"Highest priority"? Oh, really? Then why hasn't it been done before this point? The only reason it's getting done now is NASCAR's gotten their tail caught in the door two weeks in a row.

**EasyEd** · March 3rd, 2015, 17:34

Hey All,

He just needs one win and he's in....

My guys - Joey (thank God he got outta Gibbs), Brad, Jimmie (six pack), Kasey and Kevin are doin fine. The only one I've any concerns about is Kasey - not sure why he isn't runnin better.

-Ed-.

**Allen** · March 3rd, 2015, 18:01

Originally Posted by P51FAN

And again with the SAFER barriers: "Highest priority"? Oh, really? Then why hasn't it been done before this point? The only reason it's getting done now is NASCAR's gotten their tail caught in the door two weeks in a row.

And how would they do that? Those car doors don't open...