Safer Barriers going into Rockingham turns

The second phase of work has begun on the installation of SAFER barriers at Rockingham Speedway as the N.C. track prepares for a NASCAR Truck series event in April.

The new barrier work is being done in the north and south ends of the speedway. In the first phase, crews installed SAFER barriers along the inside backstretch wall.

"The SAFER barriers that we had in place on the backstretch held up great to the hits they took during the last two race weekends," track president Andy Hillenburg said. "You hate to see anyone wreck, but it's good to know we've done all that we can to make the track safe.

"As a racer, safety is always my No. 1 concern," said Hillenburg, who made his first NASCAR Cup series start at the track in 1991.

"Regardless of NASCAR's decision to come back to Rockingham, SAFER barriers were a need for us and I'm glad we are able to be make that happen and are moving closer to completion."

NASCAR requires the technology at any facility at which it sanctions an event in its top-three National Touring Series – Sprint Cup, the Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series. Commonly referred to as "soft walls," SAFER barriers are designed to absorb a portion of the energy in a crash, lessening the impact on the driver. News Observer