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Although crashes on the track get most of the attention, one of the more hazardous aspects of NASCAR racing is in the pits, where crews have just seconds to change tires, make quick repairs and fuel up vehicles. To help improve the safety of their crewmembers, many NASCAR teams are turning to the Guardian Angel® high-visibility safety apparel (HVSA) devices from 425, Inc.

The brand’s devices include wireless LED portable light bars that wrap completely around the wearer, along with durable shirt clips and magnets. These devices are extremely powerful and have been used by emergency personnel, construction crews and law enforcement agencies across the country — and now NASCAR racing teams are taking advantage of the enhanced level of safety and visibility they provide.

“We have been proud to be part of NASCAR teams’ move toward greater safety for their crewmembers,” said Juan Gomez, president of 425, Inc. “As time goes on, we are seeing new applications for our light bars and other products, including uses we never could have imagined just a few years ago. It has been a lot of fun and extremely fulfilling for us to have such a significant impact on a number of industries, including automotive racing.”

In recent years, NASCAR has made pit safety a priority. Crews today use innovative technologies to decrease pit times and improve safety, with crew members wearing now wearing helmets, fireproof apparel and pads. HVSA devices like those offered by Guardian Angel take safety a step further, helping to ensure that drivers can see pit crewmembers at all times.

The Guardian Angel light bars and associated products feature different color combinations, which can help racing teams distinguish between the different responsibilities of crewmembers. The devices also come with long-lasting, rechargeable batteries that last up to 90 hours of continual use, and they easily mount to vests, metal surfaces and duty belts. And with the wireless LED options, crewmembers can quickly grab the devices for last-minute pit stops.

“Visibility is key when it comes to making pit stops more efficient and safe, and our Guardian Angel devices work very well for that purpose,” said Gomez. “We look forward to assisting more NASCAR teams with this important issue, as well as finding even more applications for our high-impact products in the near future.”