by Jane Smith
Today was the day that NASCAR released their report on Dale Earnhardt's accident. I was at work when they had their televised conclusions but it is all over the web. They still say that the belt separated from the impact.

But no matter what that report says, Bill Simpson has been a blessing to motorsports and to my family. His belts, his helmet, his shoes, his firesuits have protected the men, women, boys and girls in the motorsports world. With each horrible accident in racing, Bill Simpson has done his best to find a solution to the problem and help protect our guys more. I personally have never seen a belt fail at any of my local tracks and we do insist that belts be changed every 3 years.

Bill Simpson's helmet saved my friend. When his modified hit the wall wide open and his head was knocked against the wall, the helmet protected him. It was scratched some but not his head. We even found window netting material in the screws where his shield moved but Justin was fine. Bill Simpson did that.

More than once I have seen a Simpson firesuit protect one of my guys from fire. Fire is probably the most feared of all racers in that car. It is very important not to cut back expenses by getting the wrong firesuit for the class of stockcar you drive in. I have seen a driver wear a one layer suit when the rule book called for two and what happened when he did catch fire. His firesuit was old and ragged, not much protection at all, but if he had had the firesuit that was required and a two layer Simpson suit, the damage to his body would have been far less.

I have read that Simpson was so upset about the belt that he pulled his safety trailer from the NASCAR tracks. He, above all else, has done more for the safety of our drivers than any other person. We all depend on him and I hope that he does not close his doors to the many people who do believe in Simpson products. He is needed, not only by Winston Cup, but by all of us.

As for this one person, I say thank you Bill Simpson for everything you have done for my guys and gals. You were there for my Justin with your helmet, your harness protected my daughter when she wrecked in her first race, you have never failed me once. My trust and the trust of many, many racers is still in your hands. NASCAR is just a small part of the many racers you help, please don't judge the many from the few.

Bill Simpson, you are needed. Not just for the "Big Boys" but for us "little guys" also. And this one lady would like to thank you for caring so much about the racers that entertain the many every week.

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