It seems like NASCAR’s latest safety measure to prevent airborne crashes in Cup Series races has failed. After some wind tunnel testing last week, the sanctioning body introduced an air deflector above the right side window of all the cars. Known as the ‘shark fin,’ the latest update was designed to reduce blow-over crashes. The only problem? It didn’t work! Even though the shark fin played a role in Michael McDowell not flipping entirely with 10 laps to go, it couldn’t prevent Josh Berry from crashing roof-first into the wall during the 158th lap.

According to former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace, the Next-Gen car won’t stop flipping, irrespective of the latest technological developments being implemented in the car to improve safety standards.

Kenny Wallace apprehensive about NASCAR’s safety improvements

Corey LaJoie’s harrowing incident at Michigan International Speedway was an eye-opener for many in the NASCAR circles. After all, it had been 14 years since such a major incident had occurred on a non-superspeedway track. The last time a similar situation took place was at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2010 when Brad Keselowski went upside down while driving the No. 12 Dodge for Penske Championship Racing. The implementation of air deflectors (shark fins) at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 was meant to prevent such a scenario from repeating itself, as the technology was meant to keep the cars grounded while turning sideways on the racetrack.

However, that didn’t stop Josh Berry from flipping over while battling for the lead with just two laps to go, raising questions about the effectiveness of the new technology. Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace spoke about the recent incidents on his YouTube channel, saying, “Dale Jr and myself, we both said cars are going to flip. I still believe NASCAR racecars are going to flip. You’re just not going to prevent angle of the dangles all the time. Wallace said angles of the dangles. Phrase of the day. Angles of the dangels. So there’s going to be times when you’re not going to stop physics, okay? However, Josh Berry, again, they’re going to flip. I get that.”

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 featured several multi-car incidents, making the Daytona International Speedway look nothing short of a battlefield. It’s clear that NASCAR has some work to do, but the sanctioning body can take solace in the fact that neither Corey LaJoie nor Josh Berry was hurt after being flipped over. However, a proper investigation needs to take place to find out why Next-Gen cars are so susceptible to going airborne. If back-to-back incidents are not an eye-opener that urgent action needs to be taken to improve the safety standards, then what is? With the playoffs fast approaching, the stakes are only getting higher for drivers, which means on-track incidents can only increase in severity.

Over the years, the Next-Gen car has come under intense criticism from drivers, teams, and fans. Whether it’s because of its aero-heavy design, its inability to overtake, or the lackluster short-track package. The so-called ‘new and improved’ car has made headlines for all the wrong reasons. NASCAR has now come under fire for its failed attempt at preventing blow-over crashes by introducing air deflectors. If real improvements are to be made, the organization must have a long-term vision for their cars, instead of relying on quick fixes that battle against the laws of mother nature to work efficiently.

Michael McDowell shares his views on air deflectors

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Last year, the Daytona International Speedway was the site that witnessed one of the most horrific airborne crashes in recent history. Stewart-Haas Racing driver Ryan Preece flipped almost a dozen times before finally coming to a halt at the 2.5-mile track, leaving him with bloodshot eyes and bruises all over his body. Such was the magnitude of the accident that the backstretch where the incident occurred had to be paved over while the grass was removed. Corey LaJoie’s airborne crash at Michigan showed how grass can make such wrecks even worse, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety standards.

Speaking about the effectiveness of air deflectors, Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell said, “We got a tiny little bit of information, but even that in a wind tunnel by itself isn’t a real indicator of what it will be like in the pack. I don’t think anybody knows. I think everybody is taking their best guesses. I don’t think it’s gonna be terribly different, but there might be some positives from it, too. We’ll see how the cars suck up.”

He went on to say, “When guys are caught off guard or just lose it, it’s because there is a situation that they haven’t been in before, so with this deflector, I’m sure there will be some of that.”

The reality is that airborne crashes are an inevitable byproduct of a sport like NASCAR. After all, when cars are making contact at high speeds, nature’s laws come into effect, making on-track incidents inevitable. However, the sanctioning body needs to do what it can to limit such instances. Whether that’s by improving their existing air deflectors or going back to the drawing board to build something entirely new. One thing’s clear, NASCAR has come a long way in improving safety since Dale Earnhardt Sr’s tragic passing at Daytona in 2001, but they still have a long way to go.

What are your thoughts about Josh Berry’s crash at Daytona International Speedway? Let us know in the comments!