Raines Confident in Safety After Vicious Accident in Vegas

Saturday's Sam's Town 300 Busch Series Event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway provided driver Tony Raines with a lesson in safety that he will not soon forget.

On lap 119 of the 200-lap event, Raines was collected in a vicious crash with fellow competitor Ricky Hendrick that sent his No. 33 Bayer Consumer Care Chevrolet head on into the outside retaining wall in turn 1.  "He (Hendrick) got into one and his car just turned around on him.  I started to step on the brakes and my car turned around as well," stated Raines following the accident.  "I thought he either blew up or there was fluid on the track.  I flew off of him and hit the wall head on.  It was a pretty good lick."

The accident may have destroyed a brand new race car, but it helped reinforce Raines' confidence in the ability of his team to build a car that is able to withstand the force of a heavy impact accident. "The car crashed well.  The chassis and safety equipment did everything that they were supposed to do," stated Raines. "The guys at the shop built this car from the ground up and it performed its job under the stress of a head on collision with the wall."

 "Steps and strides have been made in safety over the years in an effort to minimize the strain of an accident on a driver," Raines commented.  "In the past, this type of accident may have kept a driver out for weeks, instead, I am able to walk away with only a jammed wrist and a sore body." In addition to having the benefit of a well-constructed race car, Raines was also pleased with the performance of his HANS Device.  "I have been wearing the HANS since Atlanta of last year," Raines stated.  I am appreciative that the device was helpful in keeping me safe in such a hard, head-on impact."

Among all the efforts to make the car go faster, Raines understands the primary focus of his BACE Motorsports team is to ensure his safety at all times.  " I am just thankful that everything worked out well for me and that Ricky's injuries were kept to a minimum."