On the latest episode of NASCAR’s Hauler Talk podcast, NASCAR’s Sr. Director of Racing Communications revealed that changes to the inside retaining wall on Talladega’s backstretch are on the way after Christopher Bell’s hard crash Sunday afternoon.
During Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series’ Jack Link’s 500, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell slid off the front nose of Denny Hamlin and slid into the inside retaining wall. During his spin, Bell also collected RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher, though Bell took the brunt of the hit, going head-first into the wall.
Bell immediately dropped his window net, signifying that he was okay. However, it was clear that the shape of the wall, which angles outward towards the track, made the collision even more of a direct head-on collision.
NASCAR’s Senior Director of Racing Communications, Amanda Ellis, revealed upcoming changes to this wall on this week’s episode of Hauler Talk. In this episode, Ellis said that NASCAR will straighten out and correct this wall and another portion of the track. Furthermore, these changes will occur prior to October’s YellaWood 500
“That wall will be adjusted or, essentially, corrected before we return in the fall,” Ellis said. “They’re going to take that lip out and actually straighten it out and kind of straighten the wall as well.” However, according to Ellis, this will not be the only portion of the wall modified. “Then there’s an additional area of the track, too…that will also be fixed before we return to Talladega in the fall.”
There were immediate calls for change at the track, as many fans have seen similar accidents throughout the years. Many NASCAR tracks feature similar quirks on their inside retaining walls. These indentations and overhangs often allow emergency services to access the track after an accident.
Bell and Buescher’s accident was one of just two cautions for cause during Sunday’s race. It was also the only one to happen on the backstretch. That location on the track is typically a hotbed for such incidents during any Talladega race weekend.
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