NASCAR: Dover adds more SAFER barrier to turns

Dover International Speedway officials announced on Friday the addition of over 500 feet of SAFER barrier that will be in place for the fall race weekend during the Chase for the Championship.

The soft walls will be added alongside the outside retaining wall in Turn 4 and Turn 2 leading into the straighaways. It's worth noting that both Jamie McMurray and Tony Stewart hit unprotected wall where the SAFER barrier is getting installed back in May.

Related Stories

"We continue to improve our facility for all parties involved in NASCAR, including drivers, race teams and fans," Dover International Speedway President and CEO Mike Tatoian said. "Safety is always our top priority and the added SAFER barriers will certainly benefit our competitors. The renovations in the garage will also allow us greater opportunities for space flexibility in the coming years too."

Sprint Cup veteran Carl Edwards applauded the decision.

"I appreciate that," Edwards said. "I don't think that stuff is cheap, but it is different [hitting a SAFER barrier versus a concrete wall]. I can tell you that I hit the wall twice at Indianapolis, the first hit right into the SAFER barrier and I thought, 'that wasn't that bad.' Then I slapped it again on the concrete after that and that one felt like a very sharp impact. That's the first time I hit a concrete wall in a while and even though it wasn't that big of a hit, it means a lot to have that SAFER barrier there."

The track also announced changes to the Sprint Cup Series garage.

A 753-foot-long concrete wall separating the Cup work space from the existing harness racing track is being added. The 10-foot-high wall will stretch from the infield media center to the end of the Cup garage, removing the grass hill between the garage area and harness track that was in place.

This will allow for additional space for each NASCAR hauler to park in and is intended to create an overall safer environment. NASCAR will next visit the track from Sept. 30–Oct. 2.