NASCAR's safety director to make presentation

Tom Gideon, director of safety for NASCAR's Research and Development Center, will present a talk on Monday [June 11], at 1:30 p.m., in the CAVS Seminar Room 2200. His presentation will center around recent safety innovations in stock car racing, specifically with regard to driver safety improvements from restraints, seats, and testing procedures.

Gideon came to NASCAR Research and Development in February 2009 as director for safety. His primary role is improving driver safety and crash analysis. He came to NASCAR from General Motors, where he served as safety manager for GM Racing for 12 years. As manager of GM Racing, Gideon developed driver's restraints, reinforced racing seats and the inboard net required in the Grand-Am and SCCA Pro series. He also was instrumental in building prototype safety vehicles for racing and contributing to NASCAR's present car.

A Professional Engineer with a BSME from The Ohio State University, he is the author/co-author of several SAE papers on driver safety and has been an SAE member for 26 years.

For more info contact Teena Garrison 662-325-1454 or teenag@cavs.msstate.edu.