Phoenix Raceway safer barrier fire discussed by NASCAR

The safer barrier fire at Phoenix International Raceway

Chris Buescher suffered from an exploding brake rotor at Phoenix Raceway. Rotor pieces were sent flying through the hood into the air.

Watch the video below.

With only rear brakes, Buescher stomped the brake pedal for turn 3. The rear locked up and Buescher was sent into a quick 180. The back end chased the front and Buescher went backwards into the wall.

Phoenix Raceway safer wall fire
Phoenix Raceway safer wall fire

It was a delayed fire. But, moments later the wall caught on fire and dark plumes of smoke filled the air. The red flag was displayed.

The NASCAR wall fire was quickly extinguished. Then, as TV went to commercial break, it caught fire again.

Related: JTG Daugherty Racing forms a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports

NASCAR comments on wall fire

“It was obviously something I’ve never seen before,” Steve O’Donnell states via ‘The Morning Drive’ on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

“As you watched the reply, you quickly saw that the car was coming apart before impact. With some of the brake parts and rotor.”

“The parts, one of them went under the safer barrier. We looked at it afterwards.”

The safer barriers are steel barriers in front of a concrete wall. However, between the steel and concrete sits foam, which acts as a cushion on impact. That foam is suppose to be fire proof.

Phoenix Raceway Wall fire
Phoenix Raceway Wall fire

Was it the safer barrier foam that caught fire?

“It caught the paint that was on the safer barrier on fire,” Steve O’Donnell states. “We’ve got both of those pieces going back to the R&D center.”

“Obviously, the first glance is that the paint caused that and the foam held up. But, we want to make sure and see if there’s anything else we can learn.”

“That was a first for me and hopefully a last.”

Related: NASCAR to look at minimum speed

Phoenix Raceway wall fire video

Links

Steve O’Donnell | Sirius XM NASCAR Radio | Chase Elliott | Denny Hamlin | Phoenix Raceway | NASCAR

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