NASCAR issues new concussion protocol for drivers who crash out of races
By Ted Fleming
The sanctioning body will require every driver involved in a race-ending crash in all three NASCAR series be tested for a concussion.
NASCAR announced today that they have updated the concussion protocol for drivers who have been knocked out of a race because of a crash that will include a consistent screening tool and additional neurological support.
“NASCAR has worked very closely with the industry to ensure our concussion protocol reflects emerging best practices in this rapidly developing area of sports medicine,” said Jim Cassidy, NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations, in a release. “We will continue to utilize relationships we’ve had for years with leaders in the neurological research field who helped to shape these updates.”
A week ago, NASCAR issued a new Damaged Vehicle Policy where teams will not be allowed to go behind the wall to make repairs after a crash, and now the drivers of those cars are subject to examination.
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Per the NASCAR release, the protocol now includes:
- As part of the new rule regarding damaged vehicles, a driver whose car sustains damage from an accident or contact of any kind and goes behind the pit wall or to the garage is required to visit the Infield Care Center to be evaluated.
- The medical portion of NASCAR’s Event Standards now requires that Infield Care Center physicians incorporate the SCAT-3 diagnostic tool in screening for head injuries.
- AMR will provide on-site neurological consultative support at select NASCAR events during the 2017 season and will work directly with NASCAR in the continued development of concussion protocol.
Had this new protocol been in place last year including the damaged vehicle policy, Dale Earnhardt Jr. might not have been allowed back in the car following his crash at Michigan. He would drive in three more events before concussion-like symptoms forced him to the sidelines where he missed the second half of season.
Later in the year, Matt DiBenedetto crashed in a Xfinity Series race and was held out of a Cup race the following day.