Talladega Installs More SAFER Barriers

Talladega Superspeedway has installed more than 8,000 linear feet of additional SAFER barriers following an extensive review of the facility.

Working with Cheaha Construction, the track has covered the entire outside and interior retaining walls of the 2.66-mile facility.

The addition of the extra SAFER barriers comes after competitor Brad Smith was injured on May 1 during an ARCA Racing Series event when he struck a SAFER barrier on the interior of the track near turn one. Just last week NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitor Austin Theriault suffered a compression fracture in his lower back after hitting an unprotected wall head-on at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

"Safety of our competitors and fans is our top priority and we will continue to review the facility and provide updates as circumstances warrant. We look forward to a tremendous NASCAR weekend featuring the third and final race of the Contender Round in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup," Talladega officials said in a statement.