Nascar Crash Texas Qualifying April 4 2008 Michael McDowell

[Bartek S.]

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[VroomVroom]

Lucky guy and what a crash and aren't those commentator's just the most annoying people in the world Lol.

 

[bmwrules]

The fact that this guy walked away with just bruises shows how many safety improvements NASCAR has made in the past 7 years. It was that exact same kind of impact into the wall at similar speeds that killed Dale Earnhardt Sr in the 2001 Daytona 500. Not to mention that this guy did a bunch of flips that Dale Earnhardt Sr. didn't do.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

The fact that this guy walked away with just bruises shows how many safety improvements NASCAR has made in the past 7 years. It was that exact same kind of impact into the wall at similar speeds that killed Dale Earnhardt Sr in the 2001 Daytona 500. Not to mention that this guy did a bunch of flips that Dale Earnhardt Sr. didn't do.

I definitely wouldn't compare Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s crash to Michael McDowell's. Earnhardt's crash was rather 'soft' in comparison to the violent shunt of McDowell's. Earnhardt would have still been alive today had he not been so stubborn in refusing the HANS device. Also, his seatbelt failed during the crash, causing severe forces to his neck. McDowell's crash looked a hell of a lot more horrifying...and I was absolutely shocked to see him climb out of the car without even the slightest limp or disorientation. Simply amazing how strong those cars are!!

You're right though 'bmwrules', NASCAR's safety improvements have to be applauded, from the larger COT car, making HANS compulsory, the 'cushion' on the upper walls, and other things. 5 years ago and McDowell's chances of walking away from that accident would have been noticeably lower.

 

[bmwrules]

I definitely wouldn't compare Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s crash to Michael McDowell's. Earnhardt's crash was rather 'soft' in comparison to the violent shunt of McDowell's. Earnhardt would have still been alive today had he not been so stubborn in refusing the HANS device. Also, his seatbelt failed during the crash, causing severe forces to his neck. McDowell's crash looked a hell of a lot more horrifying...and I was absolutely shocked to see him climb out of the car without even the slightest limp or disorientation. Simply amazing how strong those cars are!!

You're right though 'bmwrules', NASCAR's safety improvements have to be applauded, from the larger COT car, making HANS compulsory, the 'cushion' on the upper walls, and other things. 5 years ago and McDowell's chances of walking away from that accident would have been noticeably lower.

The initial part of McDowell's wreck was the same IMO. The right turn head on into the wall McDowell did was the same right turn into the wall Earnhardt took. Both hit around 160-170. The difference with McDowell's was that after the initial head on impact he preceded to started flipping. I think if McDowell had this wreck 7 years ago he would be dead too.

 

[MoSs]

ive seen it on TV, that was scary!