Forum: Minnesota Dirt Track Racing Forum (go)
Moderators: StanM

Austin Johnson, the driver that went over the wall on Saturday night, has written a blog about Saturday night's crash and Knoxville Raceway safety. Please check it out at http://blog.austinjohnsonracing.com/

We'd love to hear your comments!

Like him on facebook at: www.facebook.com/austinjohnsonracing81

Find him on Twitter: @ajracing81

Find his website at: www.austinjohnsonracing.com

Take the time to read this blog. It is very enlightening and really gives the drivers view of this potentially tragic incident. I haven't met Austin, but would like to have a chance to talk to him and personally express my gratitude that he was ok, at least physically. I believe we all want to make racing as safe as it can be.

Very insightful and well written by Austin. I encourage others to read this blog post.

He is a very personable and great man.

That brings back memories from the 2003 Nationals for me personally. However, my trip over the wall was caused by a rear axle breaking on the right side. I totally agree with his feelings towards Jeanie and Brian Butler and their strive for safety. When I had my memorable moment, they were two of the first people over to see me and the car as well. I think they should build a deck in between the wall and the signs. That way if you are unfortunate enough to flip that high, you won't have that far to fall!! IDK....just a crazy thought, obviously ridiculous.

One thing I noticed from Austins pictures of his car, is the mounting of his shoulder restraints. The reason I say that, is because of the angle that the belts have to go up and over the seat before it goes over his shoulders. The belts should be attached to or go over a piece of tubing in the A-brace of the chassis, level to, or just below the top of your shoulders. If you use a HANS it adds approximately an additional inch to the height of where your belts should be attached. That being said, I hope that he wears some kind of head and neck restraint(In my opinion they should be mandatory and you're crazy if you don't use one). The first time I wore my HANS was at Knoxville back in 2001(not many around back then, but Brian Butler convinced me to get one). I found out how critical the height of the mounting of your shoulder harness is, because I could barely make it through hot laps wearing that thing. My belts were mounted way too low which caused a lot of pressure down on my shoulders. We had a piece of tubing welded into the chassis in the correct location and it wasn't a problem after that. Keep in mind, the shoulder harness is supposed to keep you pulled back in the seat, the lap belt is what's supposed to hold you down. Just a few cents....maybe someone learned something.

Glad Austin is o.k. Always cool to see that blue 81 on the track....one of my favorites back in the day when Sonny drove for Marty.

Knoxville Raceway should seriously look into building a catch fence above the Guard Rails in the corners. What if Austin's crash happened in turn 1 instead of turn 3, he possibly could have landed somewhere out on Highway 14 next to the speedway. That track has been pretty lucky over the years when cars have gone over the wall there, it's mostly has been in turn 3.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, and also thank you for the very kind words. App, you are correct about the shoulder restraints, Jeannie had seen a picture on twitter that night and we have spoken about it, and will fix it going forward. Hope to see you all at the track soon!

-Austin Johnson

She is persistent isn't she!?!? Jeanie lectured me one time after I got my first full containment seat from them. I didn't have it mounted properly and she was quick to let me know. BIG heart in a little lady. Anyone that knows or has met her knows what I'm talking about.

Also, I am anxious to get out and race with my new Butlerbuilt seat insert. Hopefully it makes my lower back problems more bearable in the car this season.

-Mark Toews

That she is! She and everyone there does so much for racing, her passion for the sport shines through when you talk to her. (I don't think she sleeps if she knows of a sprint car race she can be keeping track of).

You will love your insert, I got one with the new seat I got last year, and after sitting in that, I had to get one for my old seat too, it's like a whole new seat!