One issue that has been prevalent since the beginning of NASCAR racing is the issue of safety.  Dale Earnhardt’s crash in 2001 proved fatal, in large part due to head and neck injuries he sustained. This led to mandatory usage of what is known as the HANS (Head and Neck Restraint System) device, which prevents the driver’s neck from lurching forward in a crash scenario.  Also, measures are taken to restrict speeds through restrictor plates on car engines.  Cushioning the blows suffered by drivers hitting the wall at over 200 mph has also been a major concern in the sport; some tracks have employed padding to soften impact – others have been criticized for not going far enough.