Sicking, Safety Facility, Earn Pocono Raceway Award

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, headed by Dean L. Sicking, has been named the 2004 recipient of Pocono Raceway's Bill France Award of Excellence. The award of Excellence has been presented annually to a person, corporation or organization that has made outstanding contributions to the sport of NASCAR Nextel Cup Racing. This prestigious award, first presented in 1977, is dedicated to the inspiration of Bill France Sr., founder of NASCAR.

According to a news release from NASCAR, the 2004 recipient is unique in that it is not a driver, a team owner or a sponsor, but a research team headed by a Ph.D. in civil engineering. The Midwest Roadside Safety Facility at UNL, headed by Sicking, developed the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction, or SAFER, barrier system. The SAFER barrier system is designed to absorb some of the energy that is transferred during a crash. NASCAR recently announced that the SAFER barriers system will be installed at all recommended oval race tracks by the 2005 racing season.

"Dr. Sicking and the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility have come to be recognized as a global leader in the development of crashworthy safety structures," according to NASCAR. "Their research has developed numerous safety features that have been adopted nationwide and several that have been adopted internationally. These safety features have saved the lives of countless motorists across the nation over the last decade.

The award, a beautifully sculptured and highly polished piece of anthracite coal mined in Pennsylvania, will be presented to Sicking and his team at an award ceremony June 12. This ceremony is part of the festivities leading up to the Pocono 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series event June 13 at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania.

CONTACT: Dean Sicking, Director, MwRSF, (402) 472-9332