Testing, Development & Implementation of an Incident Data Recorder System for Stock Car Racing

Over the last decade large improvements in driver's safety have been made in all areas of stock car racing. A large contributor to the science of these improvements has been the data provided by onboard IDR's (Incident Data Recorders). Starting in 2002, NASCAR® (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.) implemented its first IDR. Beginning with the 2011 racing season, a new IDR and mounting system resides in all of NASCAR's National Touring Series race vehicles. This paper details the testing, development and implementation of this system into the NASCAR National Touring Series.