Chase Elliott, driver for Hendrick Motorsports, raised serious concerns about the safety of NASCAR’s Next Gen car after teammate Alex Bowman endured a serious crash that sidelined him for multiple Cup races. Bowman sustained a concussion during an impact at Texas Motor Speedway in September 2022, prompting Elliott to question whether the car’s safety had regressed rather than improved.
In the months following Bowman’s incident, Elliott expressed his worries about the Next Gen car design, emphasizing the risks that drivers face as a result of its current structure. His concerns highlight an important safety issue within NASCAR as the series continues using this car model.
Critical Injuries and Their Impact on Drivers’ Seasons
After Bowman’s concussion and subsequent absence from five playoff races in 2022, he eventually returned for the final race of the season. Meanwhile, Kurt Busch also suffered concussions from rear impacts in a Next Gen car at Pocono Raceway that same year. Busch’s injuries forced him out of competition entirely, resulting in his retirement from NASCAR.
The Next Gen car was introduced in early 2022 after postponements, with initial praise for its cost savings, improved competition balance, and advanced features. However, its reinforced rear structure, designed to increase durability, may inadvertently transfer more crash energy directly to the driver, raising safety concerns.
Chase Elliott Condemns NASCAR for Failing to Advance Safety Measures
Elliott strongly criticized NASCAR, arguing there is no justification for the perceived lack of progress in safety with the Next Gen car. He pointed out the extended development period, including an additional year granted due to COVID-19 delays, that should have allowed teams and NASCAR to refine the car’s safety features before its release.
“There’s no excuse for going backward. We have too many smart people, too much technology, too many years of crashing. We should not be in the position we are in. When you come out with a new product, you should step forward, not stay the same or go backward, especially in the safety category,” Chase Elliott said.
The Georgia native’s frustration underscores an ongoing tension between innovation and driver protection in NASCAR’s premier series.
Revisions to Improve Safety and Data Collection Efforts by NASCAR
In response to safety concerns, NASCAR redesigned components of the Next Gen car for the 2023 season, focusing on the rear and center chassis clips. These changes include adding sacrificial crush zones, known as triggers, to absorb impact forces more effectively during rear-end crashes. The redesign also involved removing certain structural bars and tubing to enhance energy dissipation.
Additionally, NASCAR mandated new data recorders to better capture crash impact details and introduced optional mouthpiece sensors for drivers to monitor the effects experienced during collisions. These measures aim to advance knowledge about crash dynamics and improve future safety developments.
Implications for NASCAR and Future Vehicle Safety
Chase Elliott’s concerns highlight the critical need for NASCAR to prioritize driver safety while balancing technological progress. The serious crashes involving Bowman and Busch illustrate the real risks faced by drivers in the current Next Gen car. NASCAR’s ongoing modifications and data gathering efforts are essential steps, but continued scrutiny and innovation will be required to prevent setbacks in safety standards.
How NASCAR addresses these safety challenges moving forward may shape both the careers of drivers and the overall perception of the sport’s commitment to protecting its competitors.
