A more detailed recap of the Houston doubleheader, including my perspective as a fan in attendance on that sweltering Saturday, will be forthcoming, but today is a day for reflection. With all the post-race analysis and conversation surrounding Dario Franchitti's accident in Houston, I think we forget sometimes to remember and to thank the individuals and teams who have helped make this series safer for all involved. NBC's website has an excellent analysis and recap of how Dario's accident could have been much worse. I think it's time to formally recognize and offer some public thank you's to the following:
Thank you to Dallara for building a safer car, particularly the "tub" where the driver sits. In the past, that part of the car would break into a million pieces and would provide very little protection. But we can also thank technology and some brilliant minds for the new and improved IndyCar we have today, and the even better versions yet to come.
Thank you to the safety crews, who arrive on scene and assess a situation quickly and responsibly. Some people complain that they take too long, but they're often tucked away in a far-off land, and on a street course there's usually no direct path to the incident. They get there as soon as they can because they understand the urgency that their job requires.
Thank you to the medical personnel who respond to racing-related injuries without judgment. There are those who may refuse treatment to a driver who knowingly puts him/herself at risk, but there are also those who give racers, officials, and fans the same care they would give to any patient.
Thank you to the track organizers and construction workers who (especially in Houston) quickly assemble and disassemble a course and plan fan-friendly events. It's impossible to satisfy everyone, and sometimes things can get overlooked, but these folks learn from their mistakes and continually try to improve the experience for everyone.
Thank you to the pit crews, who willingly place themselves in a dangerous and stressful situation but perform their jobs with a strong work ethic that can serve as a model for others in any profession to follow. These crews must also suffer in extreme heat for a long period of time, and they rarely receive the recognition they deserve.
Thank you to the engineers and mechanics, many of whom work long, late hours, to prepare a car for a race. They are the quick thinkers and problem-solvers, who diagnose a concern and prescribe a solution. Sometimes the solution works, sometimes it doesn't. Just like life, we learn and we move on.
Thank you to the safety innovators, who have invented and refined many of the features we now take for granted. Things like SAFER barriers, catch fencing, the HANS device, seat belts, and rear wheel pods have all helped reduce the amount of fatalities and serious injuries. We must also thank those individuals who continue to make safety a priority and continue to pursue ways to make all motorsports, and all vehicles safer.
Thank you to members of the media, who bring us the stories, sights, and sounds we so desperately crave. Now, not all media members should be thanked, for there are those who reacted too quickly and irrationally after Sunday's crash, and there are those who are woefully misinformed. But I'm talking about the good ones, and especially the camera operators who bring us some amazing images, and who also often suffer in 100-degree heat. We all wanted to know what happened as soon as it happened on Sunday, and a special thank-you to the NBC Sports Network crew for giving us accurate, fast information.
Thank you to the drivers, who risk life and limb to do something they love for our entertainment. Let's face it, many motorsports fans would love to be in the cockpit of these cars, but some of us are not willing or able to take the risk. So we live vicariously through the ones who do take the risk.
Thank you to the fans who attend and watch races knowing that disaster may occur, but who ignore or downplay those thoughts for the sake of entertainment, camaraderie, and awe. We forget that we could be injured, too, but we like to get up close to the action because racing excites all the senses. I cannot explain the feeling I had as I crossed the bridge to the other side of the track in Houston, as IndyCars zoomed past underneath my feet (this was during qualifying). Unbelievably exhilarating, and I am so thankful for that experience.
Lastly, thank you to Dan Wheldon, whose legacy lives on. His assistance and expertise in testing and developing the DW12 that likely saved Dario's life will not be forgotten. Perhaps his spirit was watching over Dario and the fans on Sunday. Maybe, just maybe.
I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, so I'll add to this list as I remember others. Racing is dangerous. We sometimes forget that fact until something traumatic occurs. But racing is also thrilling, exciting, unpredictable, and dramatic. That's why we watch it. That's why we won't stop watching it. Thank you to those who will never quit, and who will continue to pursue their passions. All for the love of racing.
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