Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted annual safety training program

Track safety personnel from around the United States undergo safety training

Photo by: Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. (March 4, 2013) – As it has annually for more than two decades, Charlotte Motor Speedway welcomed more than 150 track safety professionals over the weekend for a two-day training session to hone their skills and prepare for the upcoming race season.

Personnel from 10 NASCAR facilities – including Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway – received hands-on safety training for all events at the speedway. Leading the way in safety training, Charlotte Motor Speedway has been offering such classes since 1991.

The sessions included online training modules and live scenarios for fire, rescue and EMS personnel. Topics covered included extrication, fire suppression, on-track EMS and track clean-up.

Track safety personnel from around the United States undergo safety training

Photo by: Charlotte Motor Speedway

“Most fans watching a race have no idea how many people are there on the sidelines ready to respond,” said Shaun Johnson, director of racing operations at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Here at Charlotte Motor Speedway, we lay out as many different scenarios as we can and put that into the training program. The best way to be prepared for anything is to practice everything, and that’s what we try to do.”

Charlotte Motor Speedway not only pioneered extensive safety-training classes but was also the first track to have its own rescue truck and the first to put paramedics on the track safety vehicles.

“We’re proud of the role that Charlotte Motor Speedway has played in improving the level of safety and preparedness of track services personnel in our sport,” said Johnson. “Every year we look to add new elements to the training and improve our offerings as we continue to lead the way and ensure the safety of our fans, drivers, crew and staff.”

Tickets to race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway are available through the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office or online.

Charlotte Motor Speedway