NASCAR's NextGen car has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after Christopher Bell's harrowing crash at Michigan International Speedway. The incident, which occurred on Lap 148, involved Chase Elliott breaking traction over a bump in Turn 3 and sliding up into Bell, resulting in a 21-minute SAFER Barrier repair and a secondary impact when Elliott came back up the track. This crash was measured in Delta-v, which measures a change in velocity, and it was the hardest impact in the NextGen car's four-plus-year history, dating back to 2015. Mike Forde, a communications executive, revealed that Bell's impact was the worst since the car debuted in 2022, but also the worst dating back to 2015 when Matt Harper, NASCAR's managing director of safety systems, joined the company and collected data using his methodologies.
The Delta-v measurement, which represents the speed lost in an incident, was the largest number seen in the Next Gen era. Forde explained that Delta-v is different from impact in GS, where G is a unit of acceleration. John Patalak, vice president of safety engineering, clarified that while peak G is often discussed, it's the length of time at a high G level that matters for injury potential. Harper added that a large peak G without a significant Delta-v isn't injurious or interesting.
This crash has sparked discussions about the NextGen car's safety, with Forde emphasizing the importance of the head surround foam's thickness. The team conducted a safety review and measurements of the foam used by Bell, aiming to understand how it supported him during the crash. Bell suffered a left wrist fracture and undisclosed ankle injuries but has been cleared to compete at Pocono Raceway by his doctor, following a thorough medical evaluation.
The incident raises questions about the NextGen car's safety and the effectiveness of the SAFER Barrier. It also highlights the importance of continuous updates to the rule book as NASCAR learns more about the car's performance. As the sport moves forward, the focus on safety will remain a critical aspect, with the aim of ensuring the well-being of drivers and spectators alike.
