Fire, because of its complete unpredictability, strikes more fear into a driver's heart than anything that could happen on the track. Easley and Longley survived their injuries after extended stays at Harborview Medical Center. Easley is a technical inspector for South Sound Speedway in Tenino. Longley readily accepts invitations by area racetracks to speak to drivers about the absolute necessity of making sure they have all the safety equipment available. The equipment is considerable.
Drivers wear as many as three layers' worth of firesuit, plus fire-resistant underwear.
All wear gloves and boots that resist flames. Each car has a fire extinguisher that either the driver can activate with a button or automatically releases when it senses heat. Some have fire extinguishers positioned on the car's fuel cell. He, too, has an extinguisher above the fuel cell. Maybe it will help.