DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) NASCAR has beefed up its concussion protocol with a consistent screening rule at all venues.
Drivers who are involved in a wreck that sends their car to the garage will now be required to report to the infield care center for an evaluation. Under the old rule, a driver went to the care center only if their car had to be towed from the track.
NASCAR's standards will also require infield care center physicians to use the SCAT-3 diagnostic tool in screening for head injuries. NASCAR has already announced it plans to use a traveling safety crew and a rotating roster of physicians. The new program will provide on-site support for neurological evaluations.
Popular driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed the second half of last season with a concussion.
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