Planning and preparation for the 2018 season reached an important milestone this week as track services professionals from the U.S., Canada and Mexico participated in the 18th annual NASCAR Safety and Operations Summit presented by American Medical Response (AMR).

The three-day conference, held at the Concord (North Carolina) Convention Center, featured numerous presentations and small-group seminars that addressed best practices in the safety, track services, medical and security functional areas.

This year’s keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Ed Racht, the chief medical officer for AMR and associate chief medical officer of Evolution Health, who has served for more than 20 years in the medical field.

Amid the training sessions, NASCAR also presented awards to individuals and tracks for outstanding performance during the 2017 season. The 2017 honorees included:

Track Services
•Mission Award: Tim Arfons
•Teamwork Award: Darlington Raceway
•Innovation Award: Jay Donnay and Jason Payne
•Excellence in Track Services Award: Ignatius Kosier, Atlanta Motor Speedway
•Norrie Baird NASCAR Track Services Training Award: Andrew Brandl, Road America
 
Medical
•Above and Beyond Award: Chuck Willard, Chicagoland Speedway
•Medical Director Award: Dr. Douglas Swanson, Dr. William Liang
•Nursing Director Award: Connie Tompkins, Kerry Lane
•Teamwork Award: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
 
Security
•Security Award: Chief Gary J. Gacek, Concord NC Police Department, Doug Cremer and Tom Vesey, Charlotte Motor Speedway; Alan Watson and Andy McWilliams, Talladega Superspeedway; Greg Scott and Darren Cook, Kansas Speedway; Matt Brannock, Martinsville Speedway; Bill Hindman and Brett Adams, ISM Raceway; Jay Fraioli and Al Garcia, Homestead Miami Speedway