Head Impact Isn't Necessary in Fatal Crashes

About the ProjectThis is the result of six months of research and reporting by Tribune Auto Race Writer Ed Hinton, with help from staffers at other Tribune papers, among them Darin Esper of the Los Angeles Times. It sheds new light on the decline of traditional fatalism among race drivers and the need for more research and action to prevent the violent deaths the sport has come to accept. In this two-part series, Hinton explores new head-securing apparatus, softer walls and the wide divergence of opinion on some of these safety issues among the leading racing groups: CART, IRL, Formula One and NASCAR.*At least 12 of the 15 drivers killed in major auto racing since 1991 died of injuries caused by violent motion of their inadequately restrained heads in crashes.At least nine, and four of the last five, suffered a syndrome called basal skull fracture.At least eight died specifically of it: NASCAR’s J.D. McDuffie in 1991, the U.S. Auto Club’s Jovy Marcello and NASCAR’s Clifford Allison in...