People would think a sport that involves driving at 200mph around an oval with 40 other cars battling for first place, and with the reputation of crashes that flip cars and create fireballs would by itself be a hazardous occupational choice. But did you know there are drivers who think they can add some extra adventure to the usual NASCAR driving?
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There won’t be too many people who would question or argue against the dangers that come as part of racing in NASCAR. Advancements in car build safety and driver safety have made it much safer for drivers to race in comparison to earlier years. There was a time when fatalities were far more frequent.
Between 1950 and 2000, there were 26 fatalities in NASCAR. In comparison, there have been only 2 in the 22 years since the last one being Dale Earnhardt’s death in 2001’s Daytona 500. The reduction in fatalities in the 21st century (and the latter part of the 20th century) is a result of a host of decisions taken by NASCAR.
Mandating the HANS device for drivers, deploying helicopters for medical airlifts during races, and using the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers are among the biggest contributors to this positive trend.
However, we must not forget that there was a time drivers felt all these precautions were unnecessary. Dale Earnhardt Sr was one of them. His crash and subsequent death ended up being the straw that broke the camel’s back – with NASCAR making it mandatory for drivers to use the HANS device soon after.
NASCAR drivers had the guts to do this at one time
The opposition to using the HANS device was primarily based on it being restrictive, and out of fear that it might cause more damage during accidents. But there have been drivers who used to do things like these too –
Dick Trickle actively smoking cigarettes in the middle of Nascar Race pic.twitter.com/6CsZIC0r9W
— Cigarette Aesthetica (@CigsMake) November 14, 2022
Fans were astonished to see the video
I’m sure NASCAR could increase viewership if drivers did this today
— Cigarette Aesthetica (@CigsMake) November 14, 2022
needs a Bud Light to go with
— Chris (@Chris_anthemumm) November 14, 2022
the man, the myth, the legend, Dick Trickle https://t.co/3UeQUWj0oB
— dannica (@dannarebb) November 15, 2022
This is the coolest thing I have ever seen https://t.co/vzhpmAFHGf
— Barret Gosen (@HelloItsBart) November 15, 2022
god, what a badass https://t.co/MmJTNIVzOp
— jake the janitor (@jvnkyard_jake) November 15, 2022
Why does this man not have a Nobel Prize???? https://t.co/ZoT5dy0ZWZ
— mint pod fanpage (@fastlanejonny) November 15, 2022
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There goes my hero https://t.co/JdWKpi4Eac
— Toolio (@RamilioVerduzco) November 15, 2022
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Watch This Story: NASCAR World In Disbelief Over Brawl In Race Amid Bubba Wallace-Kyle Larson Cloud Over Driver Behaviour
Social media has decided who their hero is after watching that video. Let us know what you think about Dick Trickle’s bravado!