Pocono Raceway officials announced Wednesday that the track will have additional SAFER barriers this year and next year and provided details on its extension of the pit wall.
Pocono has added 6,600 feet of SAFER barrier. An additional 5,100 feet of SAFER barrier will be added before the 2017 season. All outside walls, including straightaways will be covered at that time.
Pocono also extended the pit wall 100 feet after three vehicles spun through the entrance of pit road in last year. Kasey Kahne’s car sent pit crews scrambling when he slid through the pit entrance and hit the inside pit wall. No one was injured. Jeb Burton had a similar incident in Sprint Cup practice. Ray Black Jr. hit the inside wall during Camping World Truck Series practice that same weekend.
“We are always looking to make our track safer for drivers, teams and fans and these enhancements do just that,” said Brandon Igdalsky, president and CEO of Pocono Raceway, in a statement. “As cars and technology change and evolve, so do tracks. We are adapting to ensure Pocono Raceway is as safe as possible. We will continue to monitor races and technology and aggressively add safety measures where appropriate.”
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Pocono on June 5 and July 31. The Xfinity Series makes its debut at the track on June 4. The Truck Series races there July 30.