Safety First – NASCAR and RealResponse to Provide Participants with Anonymous Squawk Tool

NASCAR and RealResponse yesterday announced a partnership that provides NASCAR and national series industry members with what’s said to be “a safe and anonymous tool to secure feedback, report concerns and seek assistance from professionals in multiple areas of expertise.” The collaboration will provide any NASCAR national series team member with the ability to confidentially reach out to express concerns or report issues via a customized communication tool. NASCAR personnel receive the encrypted and anonymous messages directly and designate a subject matter expert to respond immediately to the concern.

This appears to be a response to the critics of the Next Gen car introduced for the 2022 season, which injured some during rear impacts – either being hit from behind or spinning off backwards into a wall. It clearly poses image problems for NASCAR, if drivers or fans or media think safety is not being, well, emphasized. The next Gen Car did in our view result in some positives. There were 19 different race winners, 20 adding the All-Star Race Ryan Blaney won, five first-time winners,  and a strong championship fight.

The NASCAR release said that concerns can range from competition-based items such as gambling or integrity, safety and security, abuse or harassment, or for seeking mental health support. The identity of the industry member reaching out is protected through the RealResponse reporting program, ensuring anonymity

“NASCAR wanted to be proactive in providing a tool for industry members such as drivers, crew and other team personnel to safely reach out for help,” said Meghan Miley, Managing Director of Racing Operations for NASCAR.

RealResponse was launched in 2016 by former NCAA Division I student-athlete David Chadwick, who saw a need for athletes to have a safe and confidential way to bring feedback to their athletic administration. Today, numerous sport governing bodies, organizations and teams such MLB, the NFLPA and NFL teams, USA Swimming and other Olympic organizations, the National Women’s Soccer League, and a multitude of colleges and universities work with RealResponse to provide the same service.

The scandal-ridden NCAA should have as strong a positive image as NASCAR in AutoInformed”s opinion.