Noah Gragson Settles Fans’ HANS vs Hybrid Safety Restrain Dilemma as He Dissects Key Differentiating Factors

With speed comes the need to prioritize safety, and NASCAR does not compromise in this regard. The drivers choose these protective components according to their suitability. Fans always had this curiosity regarding the difference between the two safety gear. These head and neck restraints have become a hot topic of discussion in NASCAR and other racing series. Although the HANS devices were launched in 1980, the Hybrid Heads are a lot more recent upgrades. The latter blends elements from traditional yoke-style restraints with novel features.

Stewart-Haas Racing, along with their #10 star Noah Gragson, explained the differences between these two through informative videos. Let’s get on with it.

The basic differences between the two head and neck restraints as figured out by Noah Gragson

Earlier there was an informative video from Stewart-Haas Racing’s official Instagram handle regarding the differences. They pointed out how both of them work. A traditional HANS device lays over the shoulders of the driver. It is held down by the driver’s seat belts. The device hooks onto the driver’s helmet and eventually holds the head and neck in place in the event of a crash. On the other hand, a hybrid head and neck restraint is worn like a backpack. The hybrid has two tethers, One in the front, and one in the back. The device still latches to the driver’s helmet in order to keep the head and the neck stable.

Later Noah Gragson opened up regarding the same with a more direct and understandable approach. He said, “I know you guys saw the video about the differences between the HANS device, which is this one. It’s a horseshoe looking one that goes around your shoulders like this, on your collar. Or the hybrid device. They’re both the head and neck restraints, but this one fits like a backpack. I broke my collarbone when I was younger, mountain biking. So, the HANS device puts too much pressure on my shoulders.”

“But what’s cool in the last handful of years with the HANS device, with the hybrid, the belts just come over your shoulders regular. But with the HANS device, there’s a different set of belts. You slip this HANS device. These are what are called over/under belts, where I just have the overbelt. And then these anchor the HANS device in, from keeping you from moving,” added Gragson.

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What kind of restraint does Gragson prefer for himself?

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After the series of information, the No. 10 Ford Mustang driver for SHR opened up on his personal preference. He mentioned that it is completely a particular driver’s choice, but he prefers to choose the Hybrid Head over the HANS. The reason is that the former refrains from putting pressure on his collarbones.

“It’s really driver preference. I like this (the hybrid head), because it doesn’t put pressure on my collarbones. And it’s more comfortable for me. It’s what I’ve had for the last handful of years. What’s cool is they put these pads underneath the bottom part, the shoulder belts to keep you from that pressing into you. You see a lot of guys wearing this, probably 50/50, but these are our head and neck restraints,” continued Gragson.

Which one do you think is more suitable and safe, keeping in mind the increase in the number of wrecks on tracks recently? Comment below to let us know.

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