The first time I was on the infield at a racetrack my father said to me over and over again, pay attention. He wanted me to always be alert of what was going on behind me, in front of me, and beside me so that I first, stayed out of everybody’s way and second didn’t get hurt from cars going through the pits. The incident earlier today at Indianapolis where a member for Dale Coyne Racing was struck on pit road by Danica Patrick, is yet another example of the importance of always being aware of your surroundings while at a track.

From the ESPN video it appeared that the crew member for Coyne was walking along pit road to the pit stall for one of the team cars when he entered Patrick’s stall. She was entering as he was walking through and he was struck by the left front tire. He was flung into the air like a rag doll and landed on his head. A concussion and trip to the hospital later, he is going to be okay.

These events are weekly occurrences at NASCAR races, as crewmen run out onto a very hectic pit road to do stops. For instance last year Michael Waltrip’s gas man was hit in the head by an errant tire. In recent weeks we have seen guys getting hit by their own drivers, or leaping over cars to avoid getting hit. Generally this is because the crew guys aren’t paying attention (as appeared to be the case today) or because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I know of a crew guy who was hit by a car pitting behind them while he was doing his pit road duties. There wasn’t really anything he could about it because of his position on the crew.

Accidents are not just isolated to pit road. Perhaps the second most dangerous place on a track is in the infield garage area. There have been many instances through the years when drivers coming in during practice, qualifying, or during a race have hit a spectator. It is particularly dangerous in these areas because the quarters are so tight and because there are so many people in the area (something that NASCAR has been working to limit recently).

Personally, the scariest infield I have been in is Martinsville. While walking the circumference of the infield (if you could even call it that) there are two openings where the cars enter and exit the track. The entrance into the garage area isn’t too bad because there is a lot of visibility, however the exit is terrifying to cross. It is located right before turn one onto pit road. The exit is located directly behind the transporters so visibility is poor and with practice on track, you can’t hear anything. So by the time the cars come around the corner it is too late to get out of the way. Every time I am there I find myself sprinting across the opening, or just altogether avoiding it. The garage area at Martinsville is not much better as you have cars entering, exiting and jockeying to get around. It is definitely a place where you have to be on your toes.

So PAY ATTENTION at the track. They really are words to live by.

The final part of the Pit Road Explained series will be posted on Sunday. Due to an internet outage because of weather TC was not able to post. Our apologies.

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