NASCAR mandates safety changes

   Earlier this week, NASCAR issued technical bulletins in both the Cup and Nationwide series that address a safety enhancement to the driver’s roll cage and will take effect beginning in January 2013.

    The cars in both series will feature an additional forward roof bar and a center roof support bar that will intersect near the front center of the roll cage. This addition comes following extensive testing at the NASCAR research and development center in Concord.

    NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the intent was to strengthen the top front area of the roll cage in the event of a car rolling over. The change can be made to cars this year but is not mandatory until 2013.