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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
CUP: NASCAR Says Systems Worked
NASCAR officials say the catchfence at Talladega Superspeedway did what it was designed to do on Sunday...
Tom Jensen  |  Posted April 27, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Eight spectators suffered minor injuries at Talladega Superspeedway when struck by debris from the impact of the car into the fence, but the fence held and threw Carl Edwards’ car back onto the track. (PHOTO: LAT Photographic)
In the wake of Carl Edwards’ violent last-lap crash in Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR officials said Monday they will continue to look for ways to improve safety, but insisted the systems in place worked as they should.

Edwards’ Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion got airborne after contact with race-winner Brad Keselowski as the two drivers raced down the frontstretch at Talladega. As the No. 99 Ford was coming back down to the ground after its initial lift-off, it bounced off the hood of Ryan Newman’s onrushing car, which in turn sent it flying into the air and then the catchfence on the frontstretch.

Eight spectators suffered minor injuries when struck by debris from the impact of the car into the fence, but the fence held and threw Edwards’ car back onto the track. And NASCAR officials said that’s what was supposed to happen.

“One of our primary goals over the years is to build a restraining fence that keeps the cars and parts and pieces out of the spectator area,” said NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communication Jim Hunter during a late-afternoon conference call on Monday. “ … From what we saw yesterday, the retaining fence did what it was supposed to do. It threw the car back on the race track. There was some debris that went into the grandstand that fortunately did not invoke serious injury.”

But following the injuries and the controversy surrounding the crash, the sanctioning body will try to improve safety even more, officials vowed. “We are constantly evaluating safety initiatives,” said Hunter. “It’s something we do every we’re at the race track. It’s something we do every day at the (NASCAR) R&D Center. … We’re going to take whatever measures we need to to ensure the races are as safe as possible for everyone.”

Hunter said NASCAR is reviewing its procedures regarding bump drafting and blocking at Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway, though Sprint Cup Director John Darby said later that he thought Sunday’s Aaron’s was relatively calm for a restrictor-plate race. Darby further said none of the 43 drivers in the Sprint Cup race was penalized or spoken to about their driving after the Talladega race.

NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said the last-lap crash between Keselowski and Edwards was the result of hard racing, not blocking or overly aggressive driving. “What happened was they were racing to the finish,” said Pemberton. “They’re doing everything they can do to get to the start-finish line. … That’s what these guys do. Many times they come together trying to win the race, whether it’s at Martinsville or Talladega. So they both have some ownership in it.”

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel

Tom Jensen is the Editor in Chief for SPEEDtv.com, the former Executive Editor of NASCAR Scene and a contributing Editor for TruckSeries.com. He is the author of “Cheating: The Bad Things Good NASCAR Nextel Cup Racers Do In Pursuit of SPEED,” and has appeared on television and radio shows to discuss NASCAR racing. Jensen is the past President of the National Motorsports Press Association. Jensen is the 1997 National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year and has won numerous national and state awards for news reporting, columns and feature writing. The Answer Man is back at SPEEDtv.com. Tom Jensen answers your questions during every race week and looks forward to hearing from you - please e-mail it to

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