Over track safety, which is unlikely to truly fix the problem. Those sorts of studies never do. And that’s especially true when the issue is so fundamental as two of NASCAR’s most famous tracks (Daytona and Talladega) are simply too fast, thus creating the need for restrictor plates. Restrictor plate racing produces pack racing, which greatly increases the chances of “the big one” — accidents involving multiple cars, which in turn increases the chances of spectators getting injured. The solution? Reducing the extreme banking at Daytona and Talladega would go a long way towards eliminating the need for restrictor plates. Odds that happens? Slim to none.
by Michael Lowrey