Update on Larry Pearson, some call for end to "Legends" racing...

[TeamBlueOval]

...but Larry Pearson is not one of those who say it should end.

Latest on Larry Pearson: There have been numerous calls for Bristol Motor Speedway to end its experiment with old-timer "legends" racing since the track's March 20 event resulted in a savage late-race accident. Larry Pearson, the driver seriously injured in that wreck, isn't one of the naysayers. Pearson, 56, had six surgeries in the 12 days following the crash, which happened after his car blew a tire, hit the wall and was slammed in the drivers door at full speed by Charlie Glotzbach. Glotzbach was hospitalized for a few days but was not seriously injured. Pearson suffered two broken legs, a shattered pelvis, two broken ribs, a broken ankle and a broken right hand. He has been hospitalized since the accident but said Tuesday he hopes to be released from the Charlotte medical center in the next day or two. He faces months of rehabilitation, some of which he hopes to accomplish at his home near Spartanburg, S.C. Family members say Pearson has been in good spirits despite the trauma of the past three weeks.(SPEEDtv)(4-6-2010)

[roosterrage]

Wow that is a lot of surgeries! I hope he gets better soon. I don't want to see the Legends race end, but they've got to do something to make it safer. Use the same equipment standards as the other NASCAR Series do and perhaps limit speed too. They were going faster than NW race at some points and a lot of them are in the their upper 60s and lower 70s.

[DeeDee]

I agree with Matt.

[Dog]

Ya I believe almost everyone is in agreement that there should be more safety features--except the drivers because they aren't used to so much constriction

[DeeDee]

^^ Unfortunately that's true. I'm sure most of these older driver want nothing to do with today's safety features. Personally I think safety should come first.

[mattemmy99]

Another thing that I wonder about,do you think maybe thier "relfexes" arn't as fast as the "younger" drivers...Their not spring chickens anymore,and I am 41,and starting to see I can't react to things like I used to...Something Nascar should consider as well...I think Nascar having them race at Bristol was NOT a good idea,and should have maybe did at Lowes,where they have the smaller(not sure if its a mile,or shorter asphalt track they have in the infield),wehre there is less banking.I don't know,but I hope Nascar is looking into this.

[TeamBlueOval]

NASCAR has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with this race. This race is a product of the folks at Bristol Motor Speedway--they invite the drivers, set up the race, and secure the race cars.

NASCAR is not involved, other than the fact that NASCAR happens to be there on that weekend for the Cup and Nationwide races...

[mattemmy99]

Well excuse me....LOL~ I didn't watch it,so I didn't know....then the folks at Bristol motorspeedway,should have their heads examined,for not putting more thought into safety for the drivers....like I said,I didn't watch,as I couldn't get the race that weekend,so sorry if I offended anyone...

[TeamBlueOval]

Just protecting NASCAR on that one, this wasn't one of their bad calls. ;) lol

Also, I think Bristol was thinking about safety. The cars were USAR Pro Cup cars and that series races at Bristol, so they must have thought it was safe.

I just disagree that safety was not of primary concern, I think it was... the fact that Pearson survived a crash like that should show that the cars were safe. That was the worst wreck I've ever seen.

[mattemmy99]

I understand what your saying...guess I shouldn't have "snapped"....LOL! I didn't watch the race,as I had HS basketball tournaments on that weekend~