Fence safety a main priority at IMS

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Safety has always been job one at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Not just for the drivers and crews, but for the fans.

Just a few weeks ago, Carl Edwards crashed at Talladega injuring seven spectators. Like so many other accidents it has race planners re-examining the strength of their fences.

"When you know the cars, when you know their speeds you can calculate their impacts," said IMS Director of Engineering Kevin Forbes.

IMS replaced its fencing when the heavier cars of NASCAR began racing there. The portion of fencing hanging over the track has been lengthened once since.

In the history of the Brickyard there've been plenty of brushes with the fence, like on the first lap in 1973.

"As the field took the green flag, Salt Walther who started 17th, hit the outside retaining wall," said

The fence held, but 11 fans were injured, drenched by burning fuel. Walther was badly burned, but survived.

The fence was tested again in '75.

"In front of the new VIP suites, Tom Sneva flips after hitting another car. The safety designs of the United States Auto Club work. IMS historical footage," said

In 1996, Allesandro Zampedri's car went air born and ripped into the fence. He suffered severe foot injuries but survived.

But in 2003 during a private tire test with no spectators present, driver Tony Renna was killed in a crash that ripped into the fence.

"It was a full impact of a full vehicle, damaged a couple of posts, but it never went through the fence at all," said Forbes.

Ten years ago, three spectators were killed by flying debris during an IRL race at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. After that, the fence was raised from 15 feet to 21 feet, with six more feet of the fence hanging over the track.

Longtime race fans like Mary and Don Wertman have no worries.

"I feel safe, that they're not going to get up there. We brought our grandson. Now they even have tethers on the wheels and suspension so the wheels can't fly off," said

Safety officials constantly work to make sure this is the only time drivers make contact with the fence.