NASCAR is always trying to make the sport safer for its drivers and beginning in April they will be continuing with that goal.
NASCAR will require Cup Series teams to install high-speed cameras to focus on the drivers. The cameras will be triggered to record at the same time the data incident recorder engages in an accident, according to ESPN.com.
RELATED: NASCAR safety improvements will give it an unprecedented look into crashes
Since the announcement many have weighed in with their opinions on the matter, including Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This is great news as long as it is used solely for this purpose. https://t.co/lGrX70tbTL
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 1, 2018
Dale Jr's point is one that is already gaining traction. NASCAR owns the data from the recorders, and will determine if any of it ever gets released. Releasing video of a terrible accident might gain some eyeballs online, but might not be the type of publicity the family-friendly NASCAR needs.
ESPN's Bob Pockrass announced the impending move on Twitter and further explained the details behind the move.
No. It will be used internally by NASCAR. Video would be downloaded afterward.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 1, 2018
Would be used to determine why the injuries happened and to prevent them. Not being released to public.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 1, 2018
NASCAR officials have said the objective is to gather data and determine possible improvement to make things safer for drivers. They also shared that the move is not necessarily to diagnose injuries from specific crashes but merely to make the sport safer.
It will be interesting to see how things pan out once the change is implemented.