Drivers Push Safety In Campaign: On playgrounds and ballfields nationwide, kids are imitating Kobe’s latest circus shot and Nomar’s latest laser to first from his knees, deep in the hole. But when fans imitate their favorite NASCAR drivers, things can get messy. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enlisted NASCAR drivers’ help — among them Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Terry Labonte — in their recent campaign lauding seatbelt usage. “The best drivers in the world — on a track with the other best drivers in the world — still need to protect themselves,” said Rae Tyson, a spokesman for NHTSA. “I would hope that’s a positive message. And from the standpoint of getting out a safety message, you can’t overlook NASCAR.”(ESPN via Insider Racing)(5-12-2002) (5-11-2002)
