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Question: How are rescrictor-plate nascar tracks safer if cars have restrictor plates?

(Posted by: Pride of Philly on 2009-02-10 06:30:39)

Don't get me wrong here, plate racing is my favorite kind of racing. But restrictor plates were made to restrict speed, therefore making it safer, right? Well, the plates also cause bunched up pack racing where a single wrong move could kill several people. How is that safer than simply racing at 210 mph?

Posted by: SςσττRΛSC² on 2009-02-10, 08:00:43

As Mr. McReynolds explained during Cup practice: "If allowed unrestricted the NASCAR Race Cars would be able to go to at least 230 mph, & if turned or spun around would fly through the air " The RP are supposed to reduce the speeds thereby preventing that from happening. The fact that they are bunched together is a reprocusion of the use of RPs.

Posted by: Ron H on 2009-02-10, 06:46:03

When they put in the rule it was because three of the four gm bodies were lifting lifting terribly in the draft over 200 miles per hour when paired a certain way with the t-bird. petty and bobby allison both almost went over the fence during that period. the bunching may cause more accidents on the track, but it helped keep the cars on the track and out of the stands.

Posted by: mbl on 2009-02-10, 07:06:16

The cars can turn into airplanes at those speeds. I see your point. There would be fewer crashes perhaps but when they did happen, cars could end up in the grandstands. I think the last thing we want is 250 fans killed in the stands.

Posted by: know it all on 2009-02-10, 07:14:55

The restictor plate rule is about crowd safety, not driver safety. when stock cars get above 200 MPH they tend to get airbourne and go sailing through the air in a crash. NASCAR was afraid a car would eventually fly up into the crowd and kill Lord only knows how many people.

Posted by: cowman91 on 2009-02-10, 07:39:59

The cars don't go as fast so it keeps them on the track instead of flying off the track

Posted by: ICE on 2009-02-10, 08:08:22

Kow it all is right. The restrictor plate protects the crowd.

Posted by: Rick31 on 2009-02-10, 09:48:38

It slows the cars down. The major argument is that with the plates there are 43 cars bunched together at 190 mph is less safe than 43 cars spread out at 210 mph. Those 4 races are my least favorite. To quote the late Dale Earnhardt, "That ain't racing ".

Posted by: Prez Is Not a Stremme Fan on 2009-02-10, 12:08:31

Because hitting a wall at 190 mph is not as bad as flying into stands at 240 mph.