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CNN Live Saturday

Earnhardt Crash Launches New Precautions

Aired February 16, 2002 - 22:31   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: For NASCAR fans, big races tomorrow, the Daytona 500. It's the first in the most anticipated race of the NASCAR season.

Earlier today, the Bush team had their go at Daytona. And here's a look at the finish. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., racing partner Michael Walthrop, take it down the wire today. Dale Jr. was the first over the line.

And racing fans also saw their fair share of caution flags today about two-thirds of the way through the race, there was some trouble in the middle of the field, triggering this series of car wrecks. And when it was over, eight drivers were out of the running. But for all their trouble, no one was injured. That's the good news.

And it was a year ago that Daytona fans saw a different scene. In the final lap of the Daytona 500, Dale Earnhardt, Sr., lost control of his car and crashed head on into the wall.

As CNN SI's Johnny Phelps reports, that fatal crash launched a series of safety improvements in NASCAR.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHNNY PHELPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 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 TEST FOR SPORTS: It would've been unfortunate if this accident would've taken place. And we would've just moved right on and nothing would've happened, but the safety side of it is enough to know that, you know, Dale is still having an impact on this sport.

So what is changed in the last year? Drivers in NASCAR's top three series, Winston Cup, Bush and Trucks now must wear a head and neck restraint device. Seatbelts must be installed according to manufacturers' specification. Earnhardt customized his seatbelts 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, NASCAR DRIVER: I like that PPI seat. And I'm, 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's going to be comfortable with their environment. And to go fast, we've got to have that. You've got to have that. And I don't think any of us 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. I'm Johnny Phelps.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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