GARAGE TALK #1: Michigan Safety & Use Of Glen's Boot Is A Possibility

UNB! NETWORK STAFF REPORT

Michigan Safety Enhancements

Michigan International Speedway has announced some safety changes that the track has made for this coming weekend's NASCAR racing action at the track.

The enhancements include a temporary EXTENTION of the current pit wall by approximately 150 Feet. The EXTENTION n lengthens the wall toward the Turn 4 end of the track.

Attenuators will be placed at the end of the extention of the wall, according to a statement from the Track's president Roger Curtis. The statement also stated that the addition of 700 linear feet of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) Barrier to the wall at the next exit of pit road  is complete. That project started in April of this year.

Tore barriers inside Turn 1 will be placed for this weekend's races, and the grass area of pit road has been paved to act as a skid pad, should a car leave the surface at that area of the race track.

Track workers will install another 7,500 linear feet of SAFER material along the outside walls of the track's Frontstretch and backstretch.

Use Of The Boot At The Glen?

NASCAR is apparently thinking about using "The Boot" at Watkins Glen International for their races there.

The boot contains 6-9 of the track. Not using the boot shortens the length of the track from 3.40 miles to 2.45 miles, which is almost a whole me shorter.

The track is being replaced, and replacing has already taken place in the boot area of the track.

"We could," said Steve O'Donnell, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officr of NASCAR. "We're discussing it with the track. It's something we're looking at down the road."