P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Daytona paves backstretch grass to address safety concerns
A newly paved area was completed at the Daytona International Speedway (DIS), specifically focusing on the entrance to the bus stop used in the road course layout. This paving project was a collaborative effort between DIS, NASCAR, and drivers to maintain racing integrity and prioritize safety for all sanctioning bodies. The paved area starts from where the grass used to enter the chicane on the backstretch and extends to the exit of the chicane. The grass and “island” at the chicane exit remain intact. The decision to pave this area came after an accident during the August Cup race, where a car went airborne and flipped multiple times after sliding on the grass and entering the larger grass area on the backstretch. Following this incident, there have been discussions about removing grass areas near the racing surface at various tracks to prevent violent wrecks.
