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Modifications to Wheel Fences Planned at SMI Facilities

19 May 1999

Modifications to Wheel Fences Planned at SMI Facilities

    CONCORD, N.C., May 18 -- In preparation for other Indy Racing
League events currently scheduled at its speedways and to further enhance
spectator safety, Speedway Motorsports officials announced today plans to
modify existing wheel fences, including a six-foot extension in height.
    The modifications will extend the total height of the wheel fences from
approximately 15 feet to 21 feet and its extension over the track surface from
approximately 3 feet to 6 feet.
    Modifications will be made utilizing most of the existing wheel fence
system currently in place at each facility.  The procedure includes cutting
off the top 34-inch outrigger (overhang) on the existing fence and adding an
additional 10 1/2 feet of 2 3/8 inch, round galvanized pipe into existing
posts.  The additional pipe will give the modified fence a total height of
21 feet with a six-foot, curved overhang above the track.  The new extension
will include high-tension 3/8-inch cable every eight inches to deflect debris
trackside.
    With these modifications, the SMI facilities will feature the tallest
wheel fencing with the furthest extension of any major motorsports facility in
the United States.
    "All of our facilities have an excellent safety record," said H.A. "Humpy"
Wheeler, president of Speedway Motorsports and Lowe's Motor Speedway.
"However, anything we can do to enhance safety at any of our facilities is
always our top priority.  These modifications represent an evolution of that
ongoing priority for safety."
    Speedway Motorsports' facility engineers and development team, headed by
Wes Harris, have been working on this project since May 2.  Harris estimated
the capital expenditure on the fence modifications to facilities in Atlanta,
Charlotte, Las Vegas and Texas at a cost of approximately $1 million.
    Approximately 800 feet of the new design will be implemented in the turn
four area of Lowe's Motor Speedway prior to Coca-Cola 600 Week activities,
which begin on Tuesday, May 25.
    However, the immediate focus will be on Texas Motor Speedway where
approximately 4,000 feet of wheel fencing will be upgraded with these new
modifications prior to the June 12 Longhorn 500 presented by MCI WorldCom,
featuring the Indy Racing League cars.
    The same modifications are also planned for Atlanta Motor Speedway prior
to the Kobalt Mechanics Tools 500 Indy Racing League event scheduled on
July 17.  Long-range plans include adding these wheel fence modifications in
front of all spectator viewing areas at Atlanta, Las Vegas, Lowe's and Texas
Motor Speedways.