NASCAR suspends use of overhead camera systems
NASCAR has barred the use of aerial camera systems that hang over tracks, at least until the completion of an investigation into the cause of a failure that interrupted the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, ESPN.com reported.
A nylon cable that moves the suspended camera along the system broke during the Fox Sports telecast of the race. The system fell onto the track and grandstands, injuring 10 spectators, damaging several cars and delaying the race for 30 minutes.
ESPN had planned to use a system from a different vendor for next weekend's Brickyard 400 and the Aug. 11 road-course race at Watkins Glen.
But that will cannot be used until NASCAR ends its probe.
NASCAR issued a statement regarding the suspension of the cameras: "The safety of our competitors and our fans remains NASCAR's number one priority. And until total evaluation and analysis have been completed, usage of this particular technology enhancement and any similar enhancements has been suspended."
"We have an excellent working relationship with NASCAR and totally understand their position," said Rich Feinberg, ESPN's vice president of motorsports production, according to ESPN.com. "We look forward to beginning our NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule at Indianapolis and televising 17 great weeks of racing."
