AASE Makes Suggestions: The American Society of Safety Engineers sent an open letter to NASCAR in January, suggesting that the sanctioning body increase its safety efforts. Three drivers — Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Tony Roper — were killed in crashes last season. AASE president Samuel J. Gualardo asked NASCAR to “implement new safety products and initiatives such as soft walls to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.” Gualardo also recommended that NASCAR form a safety committee and offered the AASE’s assistance(Sporting News). See the letter and NASCAR’s response at the CNN/SI Site(3-10-2001)
