Richmond International Raceway is the leading candidate to be the next track to install the energy-absorbing walls first used in last year’s Indy 500. The latest tests at the University of Nebraska research center have been conducted with an exact model of the 0.75-mile Richmond track’s walls. Dr. Dean Sikking, who developed the SAFER barrier, is trying to determine what changes, if any, are needed for a track with tighter-radius turns than the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gary Nelson, director of NASCAR’s new research and development center in Concord, N.C., said testing is expected to be completed in the next three weeks. “One more test hopefully will give us the final sign-off and then we’ll start contacting tracks,” Nelson said. “You’ll see some quick movement once we can get past the point where we know the new wall will do no harm and can only improve the situation.”( Indianapolis Star )(1-24-2003)
