Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Series to endorse head-and-neck restraint system

Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001 | 10:18 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

Two days before NASCAR released the results of its six-month investigation into the death of Dale Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Jr. bowed to peer pressure and donned a head-and-neck restraint device for Sunday's Pepsi 400 Winston Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.

NASCAR was expected to announce this afternoon that it will recommend all drivers wear a head-and-neck restraint system. The Hutchens Device and HANS Device are designed to reduce the violent whiplash -- which killed Earnhardt Sr. -- that drivers experience in some crashes.

The sanctioning body also was expected to announce the formation of a safety team similar to those used in CART and the IRL.

Earnhardt Jr. wore a Hutchens Device, which was designed by Richard Childress Racing engineer Bobby Hutchens, after being approached last week by fellow Winston Cup drivers Jeff Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Jeff Burton and Bobby Labonte.

"I was surprised that those guys took the time and the interest to approach me about it," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I really hadn't put a lot of thought into doing it until then. I think I'd be a fool if I didn't take their advice on something like that."

Despite complaining of some discomfort, Earnhardt Jr. said he would continue to use the device when he is in the racecar.

"It was a little uncomfortable in a few places, but we'll work on making it fit me a little better in the racecar," he said. "Overall, I didn't notice it too much and we'll be using it from now on."

Jarrett said he felt it was important for Earnhardt Jr. to join the majority of Winston Cup drivers who use a head-and-neck restraint system.

"There are two guys around right now who drive this sport and drive those fans right up there (in the stands) crazy, and that's Jeff Gordon and Dale Jr.," Jarrett said. "We need those two guys around here."

Gordon was among 41 of the 43 drivers in Sunday's race who were wearing one of the two head-and-neck restraint systems. The two holdouts: Tony Stewart and Jimmy Spencer.

Published reports have speculated that Childress already has Gordon signed to a three-year contract to drive the No. 31 Monte Carlo beginning next season.

Childress announced last week that Cingular Wireless would replace Lowe's as the primary sponsor on the No. 31 car next season.

Target reportedly wants Wally Dallenbach, currently a color analyst on the NBC/TNT Winston Cup telecasts, to drive the Winston Cup car beginning next season. The plan would also have Dallenbach driving in the Indianapolis 500 for Ganassi.

Jason Leffler, a rookie who is driving the No. 01 Cingular Wireless Dodge for Ganassi this season, would drive the Busch car in an attempt to gain more seat time.