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In many parts of this country, fast cars and fearless drivers are the equivalent of modern-day, heroic knights and their war mounts. Winners of NASCAR races are revered by fans and sought after by deep pocketed sponsors. Many people say that crashes and multi-car pile ups are a part of the race itself and fans expect at least the possibility of these types of crashes for their entertainment dollar. But why?

NASCAR races often have 43 cars traveling over 300 km/h (186 mph) in three to five abreast formations mere inches apart. A few years ago, new rules and restrictor plates were put in place which made the cars in the race similar in performance. This means cars tend to bunch up for long periods without any break away cars. This is especially true at Talladega, where handling is not a major factor and packs seldom break up for long. In conditions such as these, the smallest error on the part of the driver or car malfunction can spell disaster for the driver and others on the track.

While many safety regulations and advancements in car design and mechanical improvements have made the sport safer, NASCAR is still prone to horrifying pile-ups, and it is these pile-ups that the paying public, whether they admit it or not, come out to the track to see.

Well, the fans got their money's worth on Sunday. Fortunately, without a loss of life.

Defending NASCAR champion Tony Stewart triggered a 25-car pileup, referred to as "the big one", as he tried to protect the lead. His bid to block a long line of traffic on the last lap backfired, and his car was sent sailing through the air in a heart- stopping crash that wrecked 10 of the 12 other drivers and their cars.

Five-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said "enough is enough with the carnage". He was credited with a 20th-place finish.

"If this was what we did every week, I wouldn't be doing it," he said. "I'll just put it to you that way. If this was how we raced every week, I'd find another job. That's what the package is doing. It's really not racing. It's a little disappointing. It cost a lot of money right there.

"If this is how we're going to continue to race and nothing is going to change, how about NASCAR build the cars? It'll save us a lot of money."

"It's not safe. It's not. It's bloodthirsty," Mr. Earnhardt went on to say. "If that's what people want, that's ridiculous."

The ancient Romans had a thirst for bloody sports and things did not go well for them. There must be a way to make NASCAR safer and keep the bloodletting in the virtual world of video games.