NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: Pace Cars For Safety Trucks
Juan Pablo Montoya’s crash has caused NASCAR to revise its safety rules...
Associated Press  |  Posted March 05, 2012   Charlotte, NC
Safety workers try to extinguish a fire from a jet dryer after being hit by Juan Pablo Montoya under caution during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images)
NASCAR will have add an extra pace car on the track to protect safety trucks following Juan Pablo Montoya's fiery wreck into a jet dryer at the Daytona 500.

NASCAR announced Sunday it will have a car with flashing lights drive behind the safety trucks during its three major series: Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks. The new safety measure was implemented at Phoenix International Raceway for Sunday's Sprint Cup race.

NASCAR tracks also have agreed to have jet dryer drivers wear helmets and fire suits, and vice president of competition Robin Pemberton reminded drivers before the race to be careful of their speeds around safety vehicles.

"The pace cars will serve as sort of a chaperone for the safety vehicles to make it as safe as possible," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "We want to be as safe as we can."

The changes were made following Montoya's fiery wreck at Monday night's Daytona 500.

Trying to catch up to the back of the field during a caution, Montoya lost control of his car when the back end broke. He slid into a jet dryer clearing the track of debris, causing his car to explode and a big hole in the side of the truck.

About 200 gallons of jet fuel spilled onto the track and caught fire, causing an inferno that damaged the track. The race was delayed for more than two hours as crews worked to put out the fire and clean the track with laundry detergent.

After the race, a few drivers were surprised to learn that the jet dryer drivers weren't in protective gear.

"I couldn't believe that guy got out of the truck without a helmet and a fire suit on," Jeff Gordon said. "Don't know what kind of harness he had on, but trying to take measures to make that aspect of it safer will be a good thing."
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