ISC statement on the development of additional safety measures for its tracks

Statement from International Speedway Corporation (ISC) President John Saunders:

   “Beginning with our two superspeedway motorsports entertainment facilities, Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, ISC is developing a significant plan for the installation of additional impact-absorbing technologies including but not limited to SAFER barriers (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction). We will utilize all available tools to ensure the safety of the drivers and our fans. It will remain our top priority.

   “A thorough review of our other ISC facilities will continue with the focus to prioritize each track’s most critical areas first. This includes but is not limited to our upcoming races at Phoenix International Raceway and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. ISC is working very closely with NASCAR and industry experts to identify areas for additional safety protections. As we finalize our plans, we will communicate them to the drivers and necessary stakeholders ahead of our races at each ISC facility.”

David Ragan emerges as leading candidate to fill in for the injured Kyle Busch

   Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan has emerged as the leading candidate to fill in for injured driver Kyle Busch this season at Joe Gibbs Racing, multiple sources confirmed to The Observer on Tuesday.

   Ragan was at Joe Gibbs Racing headquarters in Huntersville, N.C., on Tuesday morning meeting with JGR officials, sources confirmed.

   Ragan, 29, a two-winner in the Cup series, has spent the past three-plus seasons at Front Row Motorsports and finished 17th in Sunday's Daytona 500 in the No. 34 Ford. He would have to be released from his contract at FRM in order to make the move.

   There was no immediate response from JGR officials for a request for comment.

   Busch remained hospitalized in Daytona Beach, Fla., hospital Tuesday morning with a compound fracture in his right leg and a mid-foot fracture in his left foot.

   Busch suffered the injuries in Saturday's NASCAR Xfinity Series opener at Daytona International Speedway when his No. 54 Toyota got caught up in a multi-car wreck and plowed nose-first in an interior retaining wall which was not covered by energy-absorbing SAFER barriers.

   Busch is expected to miss a significant amount of the 2015 season.