On the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 seven time Winston Cup Champion Dale Earnhardt was killed when his Good wrench Chevy hit the wall entering the tri-oval at nearly 190 miles per hour. I was sitting at home watching this live, as I have watched the Daytona 500 every year for as long as I can remember. I was personally astounded at this, but I was dumbfounded by the talk and news later reporting that NASCAR racing is a brutal industry with no concern for driver, and that fans only watch for gore with no good coming of the sport. I disagree and will prove through this paper the need and value of auto racing.
             I would first like to address the statements that NASCAR does not care for the safety of the driver. In 1997, ironically enough, Dale Earnhardt was in a wreck with Ernie Irvin which the hood of his car went into the stands injuring spectators. Soon thereafter improved fencing designed to keep the spectators safe was installed at all NASCAR sanctioned tracks, at great cost and without fan fare. In all the 50 years of NASCAR safety innovations were mandated by the sanctioning body when found reliable and cost effective. NASCAR is a family that travels the circuit together for 38 of the 52 weeks in the year. I find it impossible to believe that adults today believe that the officials don't care for the drivers. NASCAR has a large rule book designed to do three thing. First is to keep the competition fair, the second is to keep the competition cost effective and the third is safety.
             The second statement I would like to address is the idea that there is no value to racing. I am a firefighter and I have training in the use and need for auto extrication. Many of the tools were designed and perfected on and for the tracks of NASCAR. I have been to training upon training where the techniques are taught are seen on the track every week. The safety features of current race cars will someday be incorporated into s
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