More Cables at Talladega, Daytona

USA Today

Two NASCAR tracks will reinforce their crossover gates with extra cables following the February Nationwide Series crash at Daytona International Speedway that injured at least 28 fans.

Talladega Superspeedway, which hosts a pair of NASCAR races next weekend, has implemented the changes to all of their gates after an engineering firm hired by Daytona made the recommendations after reviewing data from the Feb. 23 crash.

Kyle Larson's car made contact with a gate opening on the last lap, sending an engine, tire and debris flying into the stands and injuring several fans.

Daytona track president Joie Chitwood III said the additional cables will be added for redundancy in the system. The track will also put tethers between the gate frame and the posts. That work will be completed in time for the July 5-6 races there.

The gates allow fans and industry personnel to cross between the stands and the infield when no cars are on the track. At Daytona and Talladega, where there are no pedestrian tunnels near the start/finish line, the gates are heavily used.

Chitwood said the removal of the gates was not considered, nor was it an option to move seats back further from the fence area.

"We feel comfortable with where they are," he said.