Lucas Oil Funny Car driver Tony Bartone is one of many drivers who is making changes inside his driver compartment following Eric Medlen's incident last month.

"We've beefed up the head support padding with the Butler System," said Bartone, "and we're working on a new style of Crow Enterprises seat belts to try and give the driver some more stability in the seat. We're also in the process of adding the shield to the rear of the roll cage to protect the driver's head. The changes have not impaired me or made me uncomfortable in any manner, shape or form."

Bartone had a tire shred in the lights at the most recent event in Las Vegas but emerged unscathed.

"As bad as it was vibrating I was lucky," said Bartone. "We run a Plueger chassis which I guess is less flexible than some of the other chassis, so I wasn't beat up in the car as bad as I could have been. When the tire let go my right arm took a beating from the roll cage. Other than that I was okay."

Bartone is currently 14th in the field.