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CNN Live Saturday

Racers, Fans Prepare for Daytona 500

Aired February 16, 2002 - 12:38   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: If you need the speed, get ready. The Daytona 500 is tomorrow. Forty-three drivers will take the track, including a woman.

CNN's Sports Illustrated correspondent Johnny Phelps is in Daytona.

Hi there, Johnny.

JOHNNY PHELPS, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

Mother nature has been writing the story line for today. Rain, off and on throughout the course of the morning. So the drivers have yet to get out on the track for their final practice for the 500. That is likely to come after this afternoon's Bush Grand National race. But the favorites remain largely the same.

On the second row it's going to be Jeff Gordon and Michael Waltrip, who won the qualifying races on Thursday. Gordon is the two- time champion; Waltrip is the defending champion. Plus Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Stewart has already won twice this week. The Bud Shootout, and yesterday's international race of champion's event. And Dale Jr. won the last Winston Cup race here a year ago in July, the Pepsi 400.

It's interesting that during driver introductions for Thursday's qualifying races Dale Jr. received the loudest cheer from the fans, partly for him, partly for his father, who died here a year ago. And more than any other racing tragedy, his death has led to multiple changes in safety for NASCAR.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PHELPS: It's an image seared across NASCAR's collective consciousness, Dale Earnhardt's fatal last lap crash in the 2001 Daytona 500. Yet, these images of head and neck restraints and innovative new seats may be his most important legacy.

DALE JARRETT, NASCAR DRIVER: It would have been very unfortunate if this accident would have taken place, and we would have just moved right on and nothing would have happened. But the safety side of it is enough to know that, you know, Dale is still having an impact on this sport. PHELPS: So what has changed in the last year? Drivers in NASCAR's top three series, Winston Cup, Busch, and Trucks, now must wear a head and neck restraint device. Seat belts must be installed according to manufacturer's specification. Earnhardt customized his seat belts fittings, which may have contributed to his left lap belt tearing during his crash.

The most recent safety initiative came in January, when NASCAR approved a new carbon fiber composite seat. It capped 18 months of research by PPI team owner, Cal Wells.

JEFF GORDON, WINSTON CUP CHAMPION: I like that PPI seat, and you know, looking at it and actually getting physically in it and making it work are two different things.

PHELPS: Getting used to new safety rules and the equipment they specify remains a personal challenge. For some drivers, it's easier due to personal experience.

RICKY CRAVEN, NASCAR DRIVER: Everybody has got to be comfortable with their environment. And to go fast, you've got to have that. You've got to have that. And I don't think any of us give consideration to getting beat up in a race car once you strap on the helmet. But during the week, you have all sorts of time to weigh out these options and to study it and to really make a difference.

PHELPS: And as the one-year anniversary of Earnhardt's death approaches, so does his legacy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHELPS: Jimmy Johnson and Kevin Harvick will be on the pole for the Daytona 500. They are both Daytona 500 rookies and both 26 years old. And, Fredricka, you mentioned a woman in the field. That is Shawna Robinson, who is just the second female to ride the 500. Janet Guthrie in 1980. And another historical note, Daven Marcus starting his 33rd Daytona 500. He turns 61 on March 1.

Perhaps in the background you can hear the jet engines going by as they are drying the track. The rain has stopped and there will be racing this afternoon here at Daytona. The green flag for the 500 falls tomorrow, shortly after high noon -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Well that's good news there, that they're getting a chance to now get back out on the track. Well, you know, the naysayers were saying initially that it would be a really big pill for these folks to swallow to get used to any new tools and new regulations. And surprisingly, it seems like folks have adjusted to it rather well.

PHELPS: Exactly. There is -- the Winston Cup teams and the NASCAR teams do a great job of adapting to whatever the rules changes come along. You know we've seen the major rules and innovations for safety just this week. There have been rules changes in terms of the aerodynamics for the cars, especially the Fords and Dodges, because the GM products -- the Chevys and Pontiacs -- have been the fastest. So the Ford and Dodge drivers had to adapt to some changes that they have received in hopes of getting faster and making it more competitive for the 500.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks very much for that intimate look at it. Thanks a lot, Johnny Phelps, from Daytona.

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