NASCAR Drivers are calling for rear fire extinguishers

A roof escape hatch is also being tested.
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) -- Many NASCAR drivers are calling for rear fire extinguishers for their cars after Bobby Labonte's car erupted in flames last week.
Labonte was not injured in the accident in Chicago, even though his car was engulfed in flames after it backed into the wall.
Count Ryan Newman and Sterling Marlin among drivers who want extinguishers to be placed in the trunks of cars, where the fuel cells are located.
"There's no justification for not having a fire extinguisher in the trunk so if something does happen a driver can have access to a localized fire that he can pull a pin in the fuel cell area," Newman said. "There's always going to be fires as long as you have fuel and oil on board."
Personal incidents
Marlin was burned several years ago when his car burst into flames after a wreck at Bristol Motor Speedway. His fire was an oil fire, and changes have been made to the placement of the oil tank.
Still, Marlin thinks extinguishers are long over do.
"Back when I had my accident I thought that they should put in an automatic fire extinguisher in the back trunk," he said. "All of the drag cars have them. The driver doesn't have to do anything."
But Newman believes the problem can also be addressed through soft walls. If all tracks had the walls, Newman thinks wrecks wouldn't be as violent -- thus lessening the chance of fiery explosions.
"I think the soft walls would be a big attribute to not explode the fuel cells when the car backs into the wall," Newman said. "It would lessen the impact, [add] more cushioning, and, hopefully, it wouldn't get to the point where it explodes the fuel cells like it is."
Roof hatch
NASCAR recently called on Ken Schrader to test the roof escape hatch it is currently developing.
Schrader went to NASCAR's Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., to test the hatch, which is designed for the roof of the car, and give drivers another escape route.
"To me it's a wonderful improvement, looks fairly easy to implement, and it's not complex," Schrader said. "It's going to make a big difference, especially after an accident that ends with the driver's side up against the wall.
"Now, you can't get out of the driver's side in that situation, because a lot of these walls are higher than the top of the car. With the escape hatch you can get out just as quickly as any other situation. It's also easier for emergency workers to get to the driver in that situation."