Safety Concerns Addressed for Racers and Spectators

California Speedway officials continue to make safety improvements, designed for both competitors and spectators, at the Fontana facility

Several hundred more yards of asphalt have been added to what last year was a grassy area on the backstretch between the racing surface and the inside retaining wall. It was across this grassy section that Greg Moore’s car slid in a fatal crash during last year’s Marlboro 500.

The pavement, which has the appearance of a skid pad, now extends three-fourths of the way down the backstretch from the exit of Turn 2.

Additionally, a tire barrier has been put in front of the retaining wall. The cars of Moore and Richie Hearn, who had crashed a few laps earlier at almost the same place, slammed into the concrete after spinning off the track. Although the accidents appeared to be an almost identical, Hearn was not seriously injured.

Investigators said the difference was in the angle of the cars when they hit the wall.

Earlier this year, spectator safety was addressed when the chain-link fence that encircles the two-mile track was increased from 17 feet high to 21 feet. Several strands of reinforcing cable also were added to strengthen the fence.

The overhang of the fence, which is designed to prevent flying debris from entering the spectator area, was increased from roughly three to eight feet.