Last May, Jerry Nadeau was one of the most talented up-and-coming drivers on NASCAR's top circuit.
Today, after almost dying in a crash at Richmond, he is at the center of a debate over formulating a disability and pension plan for drivers.
NASCAR officials say they have discussed such a plan, but contend there are too many complicated factors, including who would be covered and how length of service would factor into the process.
That hasn't stopped the discussion among owners and drivers, who understand that it only takes one second at 180 mph to end careers and alter lifestyles.
That's what happened to the 33-year-old Nadeau at Richmond International Raceway last May.
"Richmond was so perfect," he said. "It was a brand new car, fast in practice, and we had qualified 12th. We were the fastest car in Happy Hour."
Nadeau said earlier in the day he cut some of the roll-bar padding off his car. That might have contributed to the serious head injuries he suffered during a practice session when the left side of his car slammed into the wall at about 100 mph.
"You should have at least three inches of foam, and I cut it that day so I could lean my head more," he said. "If I had the foam, I can't say if I'd be better, but it would have helped if I had more cushion."
Nadeau spent five weeks in a hospital, then went into outpatient therapy five days a week for another seven weeks. His speech is somewhat measured today, but otherwise he appears normal. Nadeau says that's not the case.
"My driving is totally the same; no problem there," he said. "But everything else is not the same. It's more mentally than physically. My vision is good, but my whole left side is a lot slower, and I don't sense [things] like I used to. My left eye is a little slower than my right eye, and I can sense it. I have a tingly feeling 24 hours a day on my left side."
There have been other changes. Nadeau sold his home in the NASCAR mecca of Mooresville, N.C., and moved to a less costly -- but still very nice -- house in Davidson.
"The house was an expensive big house, but I could afford it when I was racing," he said. "Now that I'm not racing, I have to take a different approach to the way I live the rest of my life. I'm going to live in Davidson and be like a normal person."
He is living off disability payments from an insurance policy most top NASCAR drivers purchase each year.
"My insurance gives me so much a month, but I can't retire on it," he said.
That's where a NASCAR pension plan would help. Nadeau's experience is almost identical to the situation Bobby Allison was in after a career-ending crash at Pocono in 1988.
"For the risks we take, and what we give to the sport, it would be received really well if there was something you could get back," driver Bill Elliott said.
Others disagree. Dale Jarrett said a plan is not needed.
"There's no reason the race team should have to pay me if I'm not doing the job for them," he said. "I know that's different than the NBA or the NFL, but our situation is different because we're sponsor-driven, and the team has to be out there performing. Somebody has to be in that car, and if I'm not out there doing it, I shouldn't be paid for it."
Said Mark Martin: "It would cost somebody a lot of money."
Tom Beard, who was a part owner of Nadeau's team, said racing needs the plan for all participants, including crew members, and the cost should be spread throughout the sport.
"The tracks, everybody should contribute," he said. "Other professional sports have it, and racing should too."
Nadeau is reluctant to join the discussion. He said he's fine, pension plan or no plan.
"My insurance basically covers me," he said.
Nadeau still talks about racing again one day, but he also is preparing in case that day never comes.
"If I don't get to race, then I can do some TV commentary, once my voice gets better, and stay involved," he said.
He admits that life without racing is not all bad. He said he found the bright side in the midst of countless hospital stays and rehabilitation.
"The last nine months I've really thought about my life," Nadeau said. "There is life besides racing. I have a beautiful wife, a beautiful daughter, and if I don't get to race again, at least I can say I did it.
"My whole life, all I thought about was racing. I've been racing since I was 4 years old. I never went to a prom, never did anything fun, just race.
"I got married, had a child and really didn't get to understand what my wife was really like, or my child. My car doesn't give me support or say, 'Hey, you're doing good.' My wife does."
Today, after almost dying in a crash at Richmond, he is at the center of a debate over formulating a disability and pension plan for drivers.
NASCAR officials say they have discussed such a plan, but contend there are too many complicated factors, including who would be covered and how length of service would factor into the process.
That hasn't stopped the discussion among owners and drivers, who understand that it only takes one second at 180 mph to end careers and alter lifestyles.
That's what happened to the 33-year-old Nadeau at Richmond International Raceway last May.
"Richmond was so perfect," he said. "It was a brand new car, fast in practice, and we had qualified 12th. We were the fastest car in Happy Hour."
Nadeau said earlier in the day he cut some of the roll-bar padding off his car. That might have contributed to the serious head injuries he suffered during a practice session when the left side of his car slammed into the wall at about 100 mph.
"You should have at least three inches of foam, and I cut it that day so I could lean my head more," he said. "If I had the foam, I can't say if I'd be better, but it would have helped if I had more cushion."
Nadeau spent five weeks in a hospital, then went into outpatient therapy five days a week for another seven weeks. His speech is somewhat measured today, but otherwise he appears normal. Nadeau says that's not the case.
"My driving is totally the same; no problem there," he said. "But everything else is not the same. It's more mentally than physically. My vision is good, but my whole left side is a lot slower, and I don't sense [things] like I used to. My left eye is a little slower than my right eye, and I can sense it. I have a tingly feeling 24 hours a day on my left side."
There have been other changes. Nadeau sold his home in the NASCAR mecca of Mooresville, N.C., and moved to a less costly -- but still very nice -- house in Davidson.
"The house was an expensive big house, but I could afford it when I was racing," he said. "Now that I'm not racing, I have to take a different approach to the way I live the rest of my life. I'm going to live in Davidson and be like a normal person."
He is living off disability payments from an insurance policy most top NASCAR drivers purchase each year.
"My insurance gives me so much a month, but I can't retire on it," he said.
That's where a NASCAR pension plan would help. Nadeau's experience is almost identical to the situation Bobby Allison was in after a career-ending crash at Pocono in 1988.
"For the risks we take, and what we give to the sport, it would be received really well if there was something you could get back," driver Bill Elliott said.
Others disagree. Dale Jarrett said a plan is not needed.
"There's no reason the race team should have to pay me if I'm not doing the job for them," he said. "I know that's different than the NBA or the NFL, but our situation is different because we're sponsor-driven, and the team has to be out there performing. Somebody has to be in that car, and if I'm not out there doing it, I shouldn't be paid for it."
Said Mark Martin: "It would cost somebody a lot of money."
Tom Beard, who was a part owner of Nadeau's team, said racing needs the plan for all participants, including crew members, and the cost should be spread throughout the sport.
"The tracks, everybody should contribute," he said. "Other professional sports have it, and racing should too."
Nadeau is reluctant to join the discussion. He said he's fine, pension plan or no plan.
"My insurance basically covers me," he said.
Nadeau still talks about racing again one day, but he also is preparing in case that day never comes.
"If I don't get to race, then I can do some TV commentary, once my voice gets better, and stay involved," he said.
He admits that life without racing is not all bad. He said he found the bright side in the midst of countless hospital stays and rehabilitation.
"The last nine months I've really thought about my life," Nadeau said. "There is life besides racing. I have a beautiful wife, a beautiful daughter, and if I don't get to race again, at least I can say I did it.
"My whole life, all I thought about was racing. I've been racing since I was 4 years old. I never went to a prom, never did anything fun, just race.
"I got married, had a child and really didn't get to understand what my wife was really like, or my child. My car doesn't give me support or say, 'Hey, you're doing good.' My wife does."
