When did NASCAR mandate driver window nets? All you need to know

NASCAR cars have window nets instead of a regular window on the driver's side. The nets are usually deployed as a safety measure, to help stop the driver or any part of his body from getting out of the cockpit in case of a crash. Unlike traditional road cars, stock cars do not have doors. As a result, the driver’s entry and exit point from the car is the window; the net over it thus provides protection.

However, the safety aspect isn't the only benefit of window nets. They play a role in the aerodynamic aspects of the car. Since a window cannot be out on the driver’s side, the net prevents the air from gushing into the cockpit. Although some air still gets in, the volume is nowhere compared to what it would be without a net. The net, in combination with air brakes, prevents the car from flipping over during a crash.

NASCAR: All-Star Race - Source: Imagn

But when and how were these nets invented? When did NASCAR mandate the use of window nets?

The Invention of Window Nets in NASCAR

Arguably the greatest NASCAR driver, Richard Petty, was involved in a massive crash at the 1970 Rebel 400 at Darlington. Coming out of turn 4, Petty’s #43 car got loose on the rear end. He ended up losing control, crashing straight into a concrete barrier. The car flipped and tumbled after the hit. Petty was sent out of the driver's side window partially during this tumble.

This led to a dislocated shoulder, bruises, and scratches on Petty’s body. This incident caused a stir in the system, as NASCAR began planning for safety equipment to prevent similar accidents in the future. Richard Petty, along with stock car engineers, are thus accredited as the inventors of the Window Nets. Several months after the crash, the nets were first introduced at the Dover International Speedway on September 20, 1970.

Richard Petty played a huge role in the mandated usage of window nets (Source: Getty)

The initial shape of the net was square, while it was the size of the window. It was attached to the chassis at the top with a rod, and buckles were used to secure it at the bottom. During the 70s, the size of the nets became larger but their shape remained square. The net that is currently used in the Cup Series is rectangular and made out of nylon webbing.

The NASCAR window nets were mandated from the very first race they were introduced, after Richard Petty's crash in 1970. The window net is also used by a driver to signal whether he is injured after a crash. If a driver pulls down the window net after a crash, that indicates he's uninjured.

Before 2021, NASCAR mandated the use of a black window net. However, teams can now run a different color if approved by NASCAR. Drivers run a pink net at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to support the Window of Hope program. These nets are then signed by the drivers and auctioned. The receipts go to breast cancer research and treatment.