Rookie driver Mike McDowell of Michael Waltrip Racing hit the wall hard in a spectacular crash at Texas Motor Speedway in NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying today … and walked away from the mangled car apparently unscatched.

Amazing.

Dude was cooking at about 195 mph when he lost control, went head-on into the wall (at between 185-190 according to the video) and flipped 8 or 9 times before coming to a stop on the track apron with the car on fire. Fortunately, the SAFER barrier, the car, the safety harnesses and the HANS device performed as expected to protect McDowell.

– The barrier, basically advanced styrofoam braces sheathed in metal, dissipates the energy of the crash and spreads it to either side of the impact spot. 

– The car frame basically does the same thing, sending the energy from the point of impact and then around the cockpit, which is why parts fly everywhere in these type of NASCAR crashes.

– The five-point safety harness keeps the driver strapped into the seat.

– The HANS (head and neck restraint) device keeps the driver’s head from snapping forward (which is what killed Dale Earnhardt in a much less severe crash.)  

So, McDowell can hit the well, head-on, at 185-190 miles per hour, flip 8 or 9 times, and then crawl out of the window in one piece.

Amazing.

“With the initial hit and everything that happened after, I’m real happy he walked away,” the Associated Press quoted Carl Edwards as saying. “I’m surprised he’s not hurt in any way. That’s a testament to the safety equipment.”

Amen to that, brother.

Here’s a link to the crash video on NASCAR.com

http://www.nascar.com/video/cup/2008/04/04/cup.tex.quals.mcdowell.nascar/index.html?MostPopular

—30–