Speedway to begin SAFER wall work soon

Track workers tend to Kyle Busch after he slammed into an unprotected wall during the Xfinity Series race on Feb. 21. Busch fractured his right leg and broke his left foot. The crash prompted Daytona International Speedway to expand SAFER Barriers around the track.

DAYTONA BEACH The aftermath of Kyle Buschs Feb. 21 wreck at Daytona was met immediately with promises to upgrade the tracks safety standards.

Those promises began taking real shape Wednesday with the announcement that Daytona International Speedway will get more SAFER Barriers on those sections of concrete walls that remained bare at the time of Buschs accident, which resulted in a compound fracture to his right leg and fracture to his left foot.

The initiatives announced Wednesday:

The inside retaining wall, inside Turn 1 and beginning with the exit from the infield road course, will be realigned and fitted with the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) Barrier. Also, 20,000 square feet of asphalt will be put down to replace the grass in that area of the track the lack of traction on grass adds to the inability to slow or possibly control a wrecking car.

Installation of SAFER Barrier on the retaining wall at the exit to pit road.

Installation of SAFER Barrier between the exit of Turn 4 and the pit entrance, on the section of the inside retaining wall presently uncovered.

Also, as soon as possible, the Speedway will begin covering the outside wall of the backstretch with SAFER Barrier.

Based on material availability and timing, we will install SAFER Barrier on the outside backstretch wall and will complete as much as possible prior to the July NASCAR weekend, track president Joie Chitwood III said. Following the July races, we will complete any remaining installation of SAFER Barrier on the outside backstretch wall and continue to install SAFER Barrier on the remaining areas of the property.

We will provide additional updates regarding our safety initiatives as circumstances warrant. The safety of the competitors and our fans is our top priority.

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Speedway to begin SAFER wall work soon