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Wednesday, August 22
Junior still comfortable in Simpson belts
Associated Press
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is satisfied with
NASCAR's report on his father's death, although he still would like
to see seat belt standards established for Winston Cup cars.
"It would be good if they could establish standards for the
manufacturers and seat-belt companies, like there are in the Navy
and Air Force for seat belts in fighter jets," he said Wednesday
in his first public comments on the report.
|  | | Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he still feels comfortable using seat belts made by Simpson Performance. |
On Tuesday, NASCAR released details on its investigation into
Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s crash, finding that a variety of factors --
including a broken seat belt -- played a part in his death on the
final lap of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.
Even though his father was wearing a Simpson seat belt, the
younger Earnhardt has no worries about using the company's product.
"I still feel comfortable with Simpson seat belts," he said,
adding that he talked with NASCAR president Mike Helton about the
report.
NASCAR's report did not mandate that drivers wear a
head-and-neck restraint device, although many, including Earnhardt
Jr., have used them.
His father was not wearing a head and neck restraint system at
Daytona.
"Little E" wore the Hutchens device to support his head and
neck at the Pepsi 400 last weekend, pressured by colleagues worried
about his safety.
"A bunch of drivers had asked me to wear one," Earnhardt Jr.
said. "Terry Labonte was probably the first guy who said he wanted
me to be around a long time and to wear it"
Earnhardt Jr. said it was uncomfortable at first, but he
adjusted it several times during the race's rain delays and it
became easier to wear.
In all, 41 of 43 drivers at Michigan Speedway wore a head and
neck restraint device. Earnhardt Jr. said he probably would keep
wearing one.
Earnhardt Jr. was in Darlington to promote the Southern 500 on
Sept. 2, under a commitment he made weeks ago. At the time, NASCAR
had not yet scheduled its news conference about the crash
investigation.
On Wednesday, Earnhardt Jr. was met by about 70 media members,
several of whom drove in from Atlanta to hear his views about the
two-volume report.
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“ |
I don't know if you can ever say you move on. But it puts a lot of stuff behind us. ” |
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— Earnhardt Jr. |
"I know NASCAR was scrutinized for being secretive, but I think
they did it in a real professional manner," Earnhardt Jr. said.
"Everything that they believe and have found are real consistent
with my beliefs and the family's interests. We're very content with
everything."
NASCAR outlined several steps Tuesday to improve safety.
It said it will install "black boxes" in cars, similar to
flight-data recorders on airplanes, to help understand the forces
during crashes and improve safety.
NASCAR will also use computer models to design safer cars and
will be involved in testing of race track barriers. The
organization will commission a study on restraint systems to take a
closer look at seat-belt strength.
NASCAR also will open a research center in Conover, N.C.,
sometime next year and will continue to work with experts on car
safety.
However, the report contained no recommendations on changes to
cars or barriers.
"I pretty much knew everything" in the report, Earnhardt Jr.
said. "Or had figured it out myself."
He said this week's release gives him and the sport confidence
to move forward.
"I don't know if you can ever say you move on," Earnhardt Jr.
said. "But it puts a lot of stuff behind us."
His father, who won nine races at Darlington's quirky 1.366-mile
oval, would often praise the historic track on his yearly visits.
Earnhardt Jr. doesn't share his father's affection, telling Playboy
magazine this month that it's the worst layout on the Winston Cup
circuit.
"I don't see how you can be more honest than that," he said.
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