In motorsports, the thrill of speed and competition is what draws fans in. The roar of the engines, the daring moves on track, and the sheer unpredictability of racing create a spectacle unlike any other. But beneath all of that, there’s a reality that should never be ignored: racing is dangerous.
Over the years, NASCAR has made incredible strides in driver safety. From the introduction of the HANS device and SAFER barriers to advancements in car design, the sport has drastically reduced the number of serious injuries and fatalities. However, these improvements have led to an unintended consequence—many fans have become desensitized to the risks that drivers still face.
The False Sense of Security
When a driver walks away from a terrifying crash without a scratch, it’s easy to assume that modern safety technology has eliminated all danger. But that’s not the case. Just because drivers survive high-speed impacts doesn’t mean they aren’t feeling the effects. Concussions, lingering injuries, and even long-term health concerns are still very real issues.
Take, for example, the hard hits that have left drivers sidelined in recent years. Kurt Busch’s career was cut short due to a concussion in 2022, and Alex Bowman and Noah Gragson both missed races due to head injuries. In 2024, Ryan Preece’s violent flip at Daytona looked horrifying, but he walked away. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t serious.
The problem arises when fans—and sometimes even NASCAR itself—start treating crashes as just another part of the show. Wrecks are an unavoidable part of racing, but actively ignoring safety concerns for the sake of entertainment is reckless.
The Disconnect: Why Some Fans Ignore Safety Issues
Many fans don’t want to hear about safety because they think it takes away from the excitement of the sport. Some even get annoyed when drivers speak out about concerns, accusing them of being soft or making excuses. This attitude is dangerous.
No true fan should want to see a driver get seriously hurt. Yet, when a driver or team raises safety concerns, there are always those who dismiss it, claiming that “racing is supposed to be dangerous” or “the old-school drivers didn’t complain.” That mindset ignores the brutal reality that those “old-school” drivers raced in an era when safety was an afterthought, and many never got to retire on their own terms.
NASCAR has lost too many legends because safety wasn’t a priority in the past. Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s death in 2001 was the wake-up call that changed everything, but 23 years later, we shouldn’t need another tragedy to remind us why safety matters.
Balancing Safety and Competition
There’s a way to maintain the excitement of racing without compromising safety. NASCAR’s job is to constantly evolve and make sure drivers are as protected as possible. But it’s also the responsibility of fans to understand that the thrill of the sport shouldn’t come at the cost of a driver’s well-being.
The Next Gen car, for example, has been under scrutiny for its stiffness, leading to concerns about how it absorbs impacts. Drivers have voiced concerns, and NASCAR has worked to make improvements, but there’s always more work to be done. Ignoring these concerns just because fans want more action-packed racing is shortsighted.
At the end of the day, these drivers are human beings. They have families, careers, and lives beyond the racetrack. No one should have to choose between their passion and their health. NASCAR fans should want their favorite drivers to be around for years to come—not just for the next big wreck highlight.
Safety and excitement aren’t mutually exclusive. The sooner more fans understand that, the better the sport will be.
