The Worst NASCAR Crashes and How the League Has Changed

NASCAR cars have become safer in recent years, but they have not always been that way. Some of the worst NASCAR crashes came at times before safety precautions were made, and many of them have had deadly results. Here's a look at some of the worst NASCAR crashes that have ever occurred.

It is important to understand that many of the worst NASCAR crashes have occurred because of the high speeds. In fact, a slight error by a driver can cause a car wreck during a race, and it can make it difficult to get cars away from a crash. Sometimes injuries can result to drivers, but in the case of the worst NASCAR crashes even worse things have happened.

The first of the worst NASCAR crashes came on May 12, 2000, when Adam Petty was driving and his throttle stuck. He lost control of his car and crashed head on at one hundred miles per hour, dying as a result.

Two months after Adam Petty's death Kenny Irwin died in a July 7 crash. A kill switch feature on the steering wheel of NASCAR cars was installed into the cars as a result in order to keep crashes as terrible as the ones of Petty and Irwin to be less likely to occur. However, on October 13 of the same year Craftsman Truck Series driver Tony Roper died in a crash.

While these have been some of the worst NASCAR crashes in history, the most significant of the worst NASCAR crashes came at the 2001 Daytona 500. Racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in a crash near the end of the race. The car did not flip over or catch fire, and all that happened was that Ken Shrader drove into the passenger door of Earnhardt’s car after a slip by Sterling Marlin. This prompted Earnhardt's car to slam into the track wall at a high speed.

With Earnhardt's incredible impact on the sport that became one of the worst NASCAR crashes, if not the worst, in history. This prompted many different changes in NASCAR safety. New seat belt and seat restraint methods have been used in recent years so that drivers can be safer and can be still and secure during crashes. Also, technologies have changed so that the frames of cars can be more secure and more likely to absorb the impact of a crash.

While the drivers who died in the worst NASCAR crashes can't be brought back, deaths don't have to occur in the future. With the many safety advancements made over the last few years in NASCAR there will be less of a chance that any other crashes could end up becoming one of the worst NASCAR crashes ever occurred.

Three NASCAR drivers look back on decisions that shaped their careers - SI.com

Three NASCAR drivers look back on decisions that shaped their careers SI.com It's a question everyone -- including NASCAR drivers -- asks. The responses from those NASCAR drivers provide a glimpse into who they are -- beyond what you see on TV or at the track. Earnhardt seemed on the verge of greatness when he moved to Cup ... and more »

CUP: Penske Intent To Gain Ground - SPEEDtv.com

Bleacher Report

CUP: Penske Intent To Gain Ground SPEEDtv.com Keselowski's resilience, perseverance — and victory — while driving with a broken ankle at Pocono Raceway following a wreck during a test earlier in the week at Road Atlanta proved just how determined he is to make his mark in NASCAR. NASCAR: 7 Drivers Under the Most Pressure Heading into 2012 SeasonBleacher Report all 4 news articles »

2012 Daytona 500: Everything You Need To Know About NASCAR's Biggest Race - SB Nation

SB Nation

2012 Daytona 500: Everything You Need To Know About NASCAR's Biggest Race SB Nation After all, the Great American Race embodies so many of the values Americans love. There are the underdog stories, where the little guy comes out of nowhere to stun the establishment. There are the stories of greatness, where legendary drivers write ... Rule Changes for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup SeasonBleacher Report Super Bowl — Super RaceFOXSports.com SPEED Staff | Posted February 06, 2012 Charlotte, NCSPEEDtv.com Nascar -Yahoo! Sports (blog) -Motor Authority all 18 news articles »

It's officially NASCAR season - Amarillo.com (blog)

USA TODAY

It's officially NASCAR season Amarillo.com (blog) NASCAR is just around the corner with the Budweiser Shootout set for Feb. 18, just a little under two weeks away until cars are on the track. 1. The Hendrick quartet - If all of these drivers don't make the top 10 at Daytona I will be very surprised. Kahne, Bowyer are big Giants fansUSA TODAY all 3 news articles »

Unified Government reviews distribution of Hollywood Casino revenue - Kansas City Star

Bleacher Report

Unified Government reviews distribution of Hollywood Casino revenue Kansas City Star By IAN CUMMINGS At the public opening Friday of the new Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, local dignitaries joined NASCAR drivers and officials in celebration of the venue, which is expected to bring in $200 million in revenue annually. FYI WIRZ: NASCAR 2012 Sprint Media Tour Always Upbeat, Some Announcements BigBleacher Report France Kennedy, ISC Bring Hollywood To KansasRacinToday.com Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway Waves the Green Flag on Red Carpet Gaming ...MarketWatch (press release) Basehor Sentinel all 318 news articles »