Michigan Speedway Plans to Improve Safety Features

Michigan Speedway, responding to the deaths of three spectators during the U.S. 500 CART race July 26, will install higher fencing and a stronger cable system in front of all grandstands before its next racing weekend, Aug. 13-16, it was announced Monday by Gene Haskett, track president.

Test sessions and other scheduled track activities have been canceled to allow workers to complete the project before NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Grand National teams arrive for the Pepsi 400 and Pepsi 200 races next week.

Fencing, which has extended 14 feet from the racing surface, will be raised to about 17 feet for a stretch of more than 1 1/4 miles of the two-mile track. This will be done by adding four-foot extensions to more than 650 fence poles. The extensions will angle out over the track to catch accident debris.

The fatalities occurred during a champ car race when Adrian Fernandez crashed into the fourth turn wall. A wheel and other debris from his car flew over the fence and into the grandstands. Six other spectators were also injured.