DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- NASCAR announced Thursday the appointment of a safety analyst and three medical liaisons in full-time positions, beginning with the 2002 season.
Jerry Kaproth, a retired Minnesota State Patrol district commander, was named as the safety analyst. His responsibilities will include investigating the results of race incidents and aiding NASCAR'S engineering group with accident reconstruction.
Robin Morrisey, Denese Meeks and Lance Davin were appointed as medical liaisons, and each will be assigned to one of NASCAR's national series -- NASCAR Winston Cup Series; NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
The role of the medical liaison will be to gather and maintain detailed medical histories of the drivers and coordinate medical services with the track, drivers, crew members and local hospitals. The liaison's interfacing among the involved groups will enhance overall communication among the different parties.
"With these positions, we are delivering on a commitment we made last year as part of our latest safety initiatives," NASCAR president Mike Helton said. "Following a diligent search, we were able to identify and hire individuals who possess the experience and background we desired.
"The group's members are currently becoming oriented with the details of their roles and extremely busy preparing for the start of the season with Speedweeks arriving. As the opportunity presents itself throughout the season, they will begin integrating and familiarizing themselves among the NASCAR community."
Kaproth possesses extensive professional experience in vehicle accident investigation and reconstruction from his 20-year career with the Minnesota State Patrol (1977-97). Most recently, he served as an accident reconstruction specialist for his own company, Kaproth Consulting, since retiring from the state patrol.
Morrisey will be responsible for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. She brings eight years of nursing experience, the most recent being a nurse practitioner the past two years at the Heart Failure Clinic at Pomerado Hospital in San Diego.
Meeks will work with the NASCAR Busch Series after more than a decade in nursing and health care management.
Davin possesses 18 years of nursing experience and will be assigned to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
