For decades, tracks have been built with concrete walls. After Irwin's crash, quite a few drivers were, at least, raising the question of whether or not things could be made safer. I don't know why it has taken so long, or how long those sentiments will last or how serious they will be taken, but it's a good thing. Sadness over a driver's death is good. Outrage is better.
Outrage is the source of change.
A month ago I was in a BellSouth office buying a mobile phone, and Kenny Irwin signs were everywhere. There were pads of big Kenny Irwin posters tear off as many as you'd like, I was told. I hate to even mention this money angle, but for the life of me, I can't understand what is taking so long, and I'm trying to touch every base here. Drivers are dying all over the place, and it seems largely to be treated as the cost of doing business. Part of my job is keeping up with all kinds of motorsports, and in doing so, I run across far more fatalities than, I suspect, the vast majority of fans are aware of.