One of the neatest parts of this job is attending some of the year's top trade shows for the racing industry. And, no, not just because the Hooters girls sometimes make an appearance.
Instead you get to see innovation at work. Racers, from grass roots to Winston Cup, stopping by vendors in search of answers for how to run faster. Hordes of new products tempting the racing taste buds.
However, it's not a new shock or brake system drawing the biggest crowds these days. Instead, it's the companies that provide some of the growing array of safety equipment on the market.
It's amazing what a difference a year can make. It's been a year since the sport of stock car racing lost its biggest star. Had it not been for the death of Dale Earnhardt, the purveyors of safety gear would just blend in with the other dealers at trade shows. Instead, they now command center stage.
A case in point was the recent Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis. I walked around for a few days and saw safety innovations from the extreme to the simple. You'll see what I mean firsthand if you stop by the Circle Track Racing Expo in Daytona during Speedweeks.
Some of the best innovations are coming in seat development. One company has fashioned a carbon fiber racing seat that aims to offer an alternative to traditional aluminum seats-if you can afford the $9,000 price tag. Other companies are testing carbon fiber add-ons for their seats. One has even tinkered with airbags for race cars.
I don't know about you, but this is exciting stuff to me. Tradition has gone out the window. True science has offered us a new way to look at the things that for so long have been taken for granted.
Sanctioning bodies are tightening safety rules. NASCAR, for example, now requires drivers in its top divisions to wear head and neck restraint systems, and all pit crewmen to wear helmets and firesuits. Also, starting this season, cars will be required to carry crash data recorders.
As the sun rises on another racing season, as teams prepare to take the green flag for another Daytona 500, I know I'll look onto the starting field and wish that I could see that black No. 3 Chevrolet just one more time. I bet many of you will be doing the same thing. But as much as I miss Dale Earnhardt, I'm glad to see a continuation of the emphasis on safety that his death inspired.
So we're counting on you guys to dazzle us with close competition and exciting racing as we officially start the 2002 racing season. But first and foremost, keep it safe. We're counting on you.
OK, so now that we're off and running again, I thought you guys would want to hear my 10 wishes for the new season. Well, you're going to hear them anyway.
1. Another win for Michael Waltrip. He needs to be able to celebrate without the agony that shadowed his Daytona 500 victory last year.
2. An exciting points race. Will some dominating teams please stand up? At times in 2001 it looked like no one wanted to win the championship.
3. True rivalries. I wish for this every year, but it never comes true. Quick, name one true rivalry in Winston Cup. Time's up.
4. Fewer boos for Jeff Gordon. Can we finally give this guy the credit he deserves and treat him with a little respect. He's going to beat you anyway, no matter how much you boo.
5. Entrance music for drivers during pre-race introductions. Hey, it works for pro wrestling. Wouldn't you love to hear what Dale Junior would play?
6. Better luck for Petty Enterprises, especially for Kyle Petty. Let's hope they can turn things around. Surely they've bottomed out.
7. Peace and happiness for Jeremy Mayfield. This guy could have written a book on how to get fired in 2001. Here's to good times in Dodge City.
8. Plenty of passing. And we're not talking about gaining positions on pit road. It would help me do a little less yawning during races.