Greg Hodnett’s widow, Sherry, talks about safety in sprint car racing

Sherry Hodnett's husband, sprint car legend Greg Hodnett, died in a crash at the BAPS Motor Speedway in York County in September. During Hodnett’s career as a professional race car driver, he competed in the World of Outlaws and amassed more than 250 sprint car wins and won multiple championships. While his accomplishments on the track will long be remembered in racing circles, it was his positive attitude and the way he treated others that will forever live on in the memories of those who knew him, they say. (Video by Dan Gleiter/PennLive.com)

[@user-ue2vf7sc5s]

So sorry for our and your loss, Sherry. What a great guy and great driver. I hope that you will remain strong and safe and that you know he is up above watching all of us and rooting for a winner at every sprint car race run on a weekend. Be safe, healthy and may God bless.

[@mojorider8067]

she is a very, very strong person. i never got to see greg race personally, as i am from kentucky, but he was always one of those mythic guys up in pennsylvania i always heard about growing up. a legend in human form.

[@mikeduffey3082]

A very smart, classy, realistic lady! Knee jerk reactions often cause unforseen consequences. She is smart enough to see one of life's basic truth's. Racing is a thrilling, high risk, high reward activity. Her husband was a very smart, well educated man, who took calculated risks, and managed those risks as well as humanly possible. RIP.

[@hankhenninger3330]

Sherry that was a great statement you made. My condolences to you. I never got to meet Greg, but it appears he was very respected man by everyone he came in contact with. I will always remember him.

[@sheilamenlia]

We will never forget #27 .Thank you for sharing your husband with the racing world.

[@pauldorotich4575]

In motorcycle speedway they have transitioned to air bag fences (on the bends). This has saved countless riders from serious injury. It would be a massive job to change every speedway track but it will probably take things like this to reduce injuries and minimise driver deaths. But every driver's death (or serious injury) should result in changes of some sort to avoid it happening again; out of respect for the driver at the least. RIP.

[@TheJukeboxjim]

I'm sure that was a tough interview for her ,but she did a great job. Very classy.

[@madc2004]

When greg was interviewed after his Thursday win at the Knoxville nationals. He said "I dont know how many I have left, I'm glad to get this win" or something to that effect. One month later he was killed. Those words had no big meaning at the time, suddenly they had the most meaning

[@healthyone100]

i met greg 15 years ago after the races at Fonda Speedway i went into the pits he was the first driver i wanted to talk to i knew he was a person you could approch without any fear so i did he didn't win but he said he really like the track and was very friendly we miss you greg RIP!

[@jedbodinebaseball130]

Fonda is not too far from me

[@smengine]

So sorry. Thank you for sending this message

[@marcybanner6715]

Well said.... WOW....Did anyone else notice that the video ended at 2:27? #27Forever

[@bobsmyth1641]

Well put ! Honest. Hugging you from Michigan,

[@johngates450]

My lord Gregs wife says it like it is. Small car, lots of speed. Its always that tiny percentage of drivers bad things happen. God Bless her.

[@peteschmitt5071]

You are a very rational thinker.This sport is a very entertaining and dangerous event.Thankyou for not putting blame on anyone or anything.My son and I loved watching Gregg and feel your sorrow.God bless.

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

A very emotional event, also, as if you did not know.

[@zanetheracechamp237]

My dad is a 305 driver he crashed at lincoln and flipped over the fence and into the pits but he was really bruised up i agree with sherry they need to have more padding in all sprint cars #27 now and forever greg we all love you😢😢😢😢😢😢👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@ThailandXpress]

These days those safety seats, HANS devices, arm straps, etc; those drivers are so locked in you almost can't do anymore. I know a track official from BAPS and from what he said, the way his car hit the wall, it wouldn't have mattered what else was in the car. It sucks, I know, the guy was my racing hero. Still hard to believe.

[@jimmyneal1988]

We need more people like Sherry in this World! You could regulate and control everything and accidents will still happen! Personal Responsibility is a key ingredient to Freedom! When accidents happen Everyone wants more regulations and better safety, but someday those regulators and safety "experts" will just ban the sport entirely! When decisions are made to protect the collective, we lose Individual Freedom! God Bless the Hodnett Family

[@soillife1]

God Bless You All Aways

[@sonnymorrison9734]

Sorry for your loss let's hope and pray it don't happen again my prayers are with you and family.

[@fanoflakespeed9460]

Easiest and safest is remove the big tires in the infield. I met Greg at Riverside Speedway West Memphis Ar. Really nice man. My condolences.

[@marktusing4553]

spot on! Couldn't have said it any better!

[@acepruitt328]

She is absolutely correct

[@brianhagler4490]

Mr. Johnson was approached in the early 90’s about having a FT safety team, like the NHRA does. The WOO and Mr. Johnson declined that idea and we still have safety issues at smaller tracks. Is it better than it was when Doug was burned, yes and no. The organization has enough funds to make this happen but dollar signs always distort ones thinking. Thanks to Tony Stewart and his pocket book for funding a team of professionals from Husets Speedway, to train some tracks....more needs done.

[@johnschuon8328]

doug insisted on a plastic steering wheel release witch melted, and hampered the removal

[@donstoner5179]

We will miss Greg #27forever. Always in in our hearts. God Bless Sherry.

[@edwardwalker1554]

God blessyou❤

[@danhoedemaker3273]

I agree 100%.Everything that can be done to promote safety, should be done. On the parts of the racing teams,and on the parts of the tracks and promotors. Unfortunately at every effort, horrible incidents like G.H.'s death will always be a slight possibility because of the inherrint danger in high speed open wheel motorsports.

[@dalehillegass1188]

That is one strong woman!

[@DDD45LC]

Yes I agree with Sherry,.. BUT,.. Greg Hodnett hit a hole in turn one on baps motor speedway,.. I have been to alot of races at that track a long time ago,. and there was never a hole in turn one,.. I still say this to this day,.. why no one ever thought about putting something there during green flag conditions, safety was not thought of at all in that regard, how many drivers have hit that hole before Greg and walked away,.. and still never fixed it,.. if there was no hole in turn one Greg Hodnett would be here to talk about it,.. that's how I see it.

[@carlsnyder2865]

Another Sad time this fast n furious racing GOD BLESS ALL BC JJ GH WILL AND ALWAYS BE MISSED AND GOD BE WITH THERE LOVED ONES AND FANS

[@tammiebachlor7616]

Well said.. Sending prayers and love to yall from Oklahoma

[@danhendrickson9572]

When your racing a small very powerful and extremely fast car on a small dirt track bad things are gonna happen from time to time. It's the nature of the sport. Other classes that race on dirt don't even come close to the speed that sprint cars reach.

[@rickarra9396]

Nice honest

[@theivory1]

If you really want to know how current safety standards failed in the accident , then release video of the accident so it can be analyzed.

[@tlee717]

It’s still racing

[@northface484]

It's unfortunate but something bad usually has to happen for improvements to be made....It will never be 100% safe....If it can happen it will happen....

[@jenniferkbowman]

Any track that has a opening ,to go on or off the track and there is no gate. that will get you killed every time. when I started racing in 1970 until 2005 things had changed for the better ,,Containment seats~ Hans device~ way better helmets fuel cells~ better fuel lines and more..We lost many drivers in those years, I would hope that when you go to a track YOU look before you go or look it over for all the safety that should be there. I loaded up one night. No fire truck only a FEW fire extinguishers. never went back.As I have said over my years in racing is simple..~~ DRIVING A SPRINT CAR IS LIKE DANCIN WITH THE DEVIL!

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

BAPS improved their safety measures, including a gate.

[@dougsmith4999]

I would never get into anything that wasn't surrounded by a roll cage. A closed three bar door curving out and a Pavement Mod Nerf Bar and he'd be alive. I bet that the guard rail buzz sawed him to death. Dale Earnhardt had to die even after Indy Car had warned them that their drivers were loosing their lives when their neck snapped going forward on impact. You can't fix stupid. Life and death and these people are still drunk on their own self importance!

[@johnrothermel288]

Think you better go back and check your facts there buddy......Driver is surrounded by a roll cage.... Indycar and Dale Earnhardt? If you think Greg thought he was more important to himself than others, you never got to know the guy. Your comment is really something people that were close friends and family don't need to see at this time. You are correct, you can't fix stupid, but I think you should work on at least trying for your sake!