“Ernest Hemingway once provocatively declared, ‘There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.’ This statement resonates strongly, especially after witnessing the heart-stopping crashes in NASCAR. With stock cars hurtling over 200 mph on superspeedways, wrecks are an inevitable part of the experience, as noted by a veteran driver. This discussion comes to the forefront amid ongoing concerns regarding driver safety. Following Corey LaJoie’s harrowing flip in Michigan and Josh Berry’s frightening crash at Daytona, experts are increasingly worried about the extreme speeds involved. Yet, a seasoned NASCAR driver argues that this danger is intrinsic to the sport itself.
A rash decision could strip NASCAR of its true character.
During the final laps at Michigan, Corey LaJoie attempted an overtaking move that went disastrously wrong. His No. 7 Chevy spun out and took flight, flipping multiple times before finally landing on the grass. In response, NASCAR implemented shark fins and roof flaps to mitigate such risks. However, Josh Berry’s alarming crash raised questions about the effectiveness of these safety measures. Despite this, some figures, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., have downplayed the severity of these incidents. Now, Rick Mast, a nine-time Xfinity Series champion, shares his candid thoughts on this ongoing dilemma.”
Some NASCAR enthusiasts and analysts are advocating for a reduction in car speeds to around 20-30 mph. However, Rick Mast strongly disagrees with this idea. Referencing a quote from Hemingway, he emphasized that the sport’s core lies in its ‘fear factor.’ “The thrill of our sport comes from the risks these drivers take. As a race car driver, you understand the stakes… You know there’s a chance you might not make it back, or you could get injured.”
Mast then made it clear that he is against any potential changes by NASCAR. “If any race car driver suggests we should slow down the cars, I wouldn’t want that person representing our sport. That mindset is all wrong.” He backed up his stance with compelling arguments, noting the audience’s response. “If you reduce the speed by 20 or 30 mph at Daytona, I guarantee you won’t see the same crowd returning… When those race cars zoom past you, it takes your breath away… You can’t strip that excitement from our sport.”
Rick Mast’s objections echo a similar incident from 2021, when NASCAR lowered speeds on superspeedways after a significant crash. At that time, a Cup Series driver voiced concerns that align closely with Mast’s recent sentiments.
NASCAR has made remarkable strides in safety since the mid-20th century. Known for its thrilling speeds and inherent risks, the sport experienced a wave of serious crashes during the 1990s and early 2000s, including the heartbreaking losses of icons like Dale Earnhardt and Kenny Irwin Jr. In light of these tragedies, NASCAR implemented vital safety enhancements such as SAFER barriers and HANS devices. These advancements have greatly bolstered driver safety and lessened the impact of injuries during accidents. Nevertheless, some drivers continue to advocate for further safety improvements, as Joey Logano did in 2021. During the spring race at Talladega, a collision involving Denny Hamlin and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. sent Logano’s No. 22 car airborne.
Following the incident, Logano expressed his frustration with the reckless driving. “This is part of racing… I take pride in driving a Cup car that is safe, allowing me to walk away from a crash like that and talk about it. On one hand, I’m angry about being involved in the wreck, but on the other, I’m grateful to be alive. Yet, I can’t help but wonder when we’ll reach a point where this becomes too dangerous. I’ve got a roll bar in my head. That’s not acceptable.” His insistence on change would likely irritate Rick Mast today: “We need to address this.”
In response, NASCAR did lower speeds by 7-10 mph at Daytona and Talladega. However, the recent accidents involving Berry and LaJoie may not lead to similar measures being taken again.
