A track services worker extinguishes a simulated car fire along pit road during track services training at Charlotte Motor Speedway over the weekend. More than 150 track services workers from 10 tracks across the country participated in the training, which Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted annually since 1991
Photo – Charlotte Motor Speedway
As it has annually for more than two decades, Charlotte Motor Speedway welcomed more than 150 track safety professionals over the weekend for a two-day training session to hone their skills and prepare for the upcoming race season.
Personnel from 10 NASCAR facilities – including Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway – received hands-on safety training for all events at the speedway. Leading the way in safety training, Charlotte Motor Speedway has been offering such classes since 1991.
The sessions included online training modules and live scenarios for fire, rescue and EMS personnel. Topics covered included extrication, fire suppression, on-track EMS and track clean-up.
In addition to re-enacting real-life race situations and getting hands-on practice, participants also had the opportunity to become familiar with a wide range of vehicles and equipment that are used throughout a race event.
“Most fans watching a race have no idea how many people are there on the sidelines ready to respond,” said Shaun Johnson, director of racing operations at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “Here at Charlotte Motor Speedway, we lay out as many different scenarios as we can and put that into the training program. The best way to be prepared for anything is to practice everything, and that’s what we try to do.”
Charlotte Motor Speedway not only pioneered extensive safety-training classes but was also the first track to have its own rescue truck and the first to put paramedics on the track safety vehicles.
“We’re proud of the role that Charlotte Motor Speedway has played in improving the level of safety and preparedness of track services personnel in our sport,” said Johnson. “Every year we look to add new elements to the training and improve our offerings as we continue to lead the way and ensure the safety of our fans, drivers, crew and staff.”
Tickets to race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway are available through the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office or online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com
