Impact Rescue Safety Team

08/19/2026

🚨 IMPACT RESCUE SAFETY TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

📍 Scottsburg, Indiana
📅 August 19, 2026

The Impact Rescue Safety Team is excited to announce that we have reached an agreement with the promoters of the Great American Be**er Bash in Litchfield, Kentucky, to provide safety coverage for their event on May 1, 2027!

Impact Rescue will provide fire protection and basic medical support for all classes competing in the demolition derby.

The Great American Be**er Bash is hosted by Nick Buechlein, better known on social media as “Tuck Fard.” The event will feature both local demolition derby classes and a special social media influencer class, making this one we’re definitely looking forward to!

“We are excited for this event and the opportunity to work with Nick and his crew. Our goal is to provide excellent safety and medical service to every driver competing and help make this a safe and successful event.”
— Jonathan Sears, Safety Director, Impact Rescue Safety Team

We would like to thank Nick and everyone involved with the Great American Be**er Bash for giving Impact Rescue the opportunity to be part of this event. We appreciate their trust in our team and look forward to working alongside them in May!

🔥 May 1, 2027 — Litchfield, Kentucky
💥 Great American Be**er Bash

For additional information, event updates, classes, and announcements, check out the Great American Be**er Bash page link below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1983NJEqsc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

**erBash

The Great American Be**er Bash is a demolition derby held at the Grayson County Fairgrounds in Leitchfield, Kentucky!

08/18/2026

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08/18/2026

🔥 TRACK RESCUE TUESDAY: FOAM vs. WATER — THE FIRE YOU CAN’T SEE 🔥

This week we’re going deeper into fuel fires.
Most track safety crews understand that water cools and foam can extinguish a fuel fire. But there’s another part of the equation that deserves much more attention:

V***R SUPPRESSION.

Extinguishing the visible flame does not necessarily mean the hazard is gone.
A puddle of gasoline or methanol can continue producing flammable v***rs after the fire has been knocked down. Give those v***rs an ignition source—hot exhaust, electrical arcing, another race car, a hot brake component—and you can have re-ignition or flashback.
That is where a properly selected and properly applied foam blanket becomes extremely important.

⛽ GASOLINE: WATER DOESN’T CREATE A V***R BARRIER

Gasoline is essentially water-immiscible. It doesn’t readily mix with water.
If we simply dump water onto a gasoline spill, we’re generally not eliminating the fuel. The gasoline can remain on the surface and continue producing flammable v***rs. Worse, aggressive streams can physically move the product and spread the problem.
The DOT Emergency Response Guide guidance for gasoline specifically warns that water spray may be inefficient and recommends avoiding straight or solid streams directly onto the product. Vapor-suppressing foam can be used to reduce v***rs.
This is why foam can offer something water alone cannot:

A maintained blanket between the fuel and the atmosphere.
Think about the foam blanket as a lid.
The foam covers the liquid surface, separates the fuel from oxygen, and—depending on the foam chemistry—suppresses the release of flammable v***r.
That’s incredibly important after knockdown.

🔥 NO FLAME DOESN’T MEAN NO FIRE HAZARD.

If gasoline is still lying underneath the car and we’re immediately walking responders into it, moving the car, hooking a wrecker to it or allowing other vehicles around it, we need to be thinking about what that fuel is still doing.

🧪 NOW LET’S TALK METHANOL

This is where things get considerably more interesting.
Methanol is a polar solvent and water-miscible fuel.
Unlike gasoline, methanol mixes with water.
That means water can dilute methanol, and with sufficient dilution it can eventually reduce its ability to burn. Water fog/spray can therefore have an important role in methanol incidents.
But there are some HUGE catches.
NIOSH guidance warns that water spray may be inefficient and recommends water spray, fog or alcohol-resistant foam depending on the size of the fire. Straight streams should not be directed into the product.
And here’s one of the biggest lessons for race-track crews:

🫧 NOT ALL FOAM IS METHANOL FOAM.

Methanol attacks ordinary foam blankets.
That’s why a foam that works well on a hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline may perform poorly on methanol.
For a polar-solvent fuel like methanol, you want a foam specifically listed/rated for alcohol or polar-solvent fuels—commonly referred to as alcohol-resistant foam.
Alcohol-resistant foam uses chemistry designed to protect the foam blanket from destruction by the water-miscible fuel. Certain AR formulations form a polymer-type protective barrier between the fuel and the foam.
That’s the v***r barrier we’re after.
Research involving large-scale methanol pool fires has demonstrated that alcohol-resistant foams can spread across the burning methanol surface and successfully extinguish the fire.

WHY DOES THE V***R BARRIER MATTER?

Imagine we’ve had a methanol-fueled race car crash.
The driver is out.
The visible fire has been knocked down.
There’s still methanol underneath and around the car.

Everyone relaxes because:
“The fire’s out.”
But methanol is still volatile and flammable. Methanol v***r/air mixtures can ignite, and methanol fires can be particularly deceptive because the flame may be extremely difficult to see in daylight.
A properly maintained alcohol-resistant foam blanket can help suppress those v***rs and reduce the likelihood of ignition while rescue, recovery and cleanup continue.
And the word maintained matters.
The Methanol Institute warns that methanol fires are known to restart if foam suppression is discontinued too soon and recommends continuing appropriate foam application after the apparent extinguishment.

💧 SO IS WATER BAD?

Absolutely not.
Water is one of our most valuable tools.
The question is:

What are we asking the water to accomplish?
Water is excellent for cooling hot components, protecting exposures and cooling fuel containers. With methanol, properly applied water fog/spray can also dilute the fuel and assist with suppression.

But cooling, dilution, flame knockdown and v***r suppression are different objectives.

That’s the important distinction.
If our objective is controlling a pool of volatile fuel and suppressing its v***rs, a correctly selected foam blanket may provide protection that simply spraying water across the area does not.

🏁 WHAT THIS MEANS FOR A TRACK SAFETY TEAM

Before buying a foam concentrate simply because the container says “Class B Foam,” find out exactly what fuels it is rated for.

Your track should know:
• Are our race cars running gasoline, methanol, ethanol or blends?
• Is our foam rated for hydrocarbons?
• Is it rated for polar solvents/alcohol fuels?
• What concentration does the manufacturer require for each fuel?
• Is our proportioning equipment capable of delivering that concentration?
• Are our nozzles appropriate for the foam we’re carrying?
• Do our responders know how to apply foam gently enough to establish a blanket instead of plunging the stream into the fuel and destroying the blanket?

And here’s another question worth asking:

After we knock the fire down, who is responsible for maintaining the v***r barrier while everyone else works?

That should be part of the incident plan—not an afterthought.

🔥 THE TAKEAWAY

GASOLINE: Think hydrocarbon fuel. Water can cool and assist with protection, but don’t assume water coverage has eliminated the v***r hazard. Proper foam can establish a v***r-suppressing blanket.

METHANOL: Think polar solvent. It mixes with water, so water fog/spray and dilution can play a role—but ordinary foam may be destroyed by the fuel. Use foam specifically rated for alcohol/polar-solvent service when foam is the chosen tactic.

BOTH: Don’t judge the safety of the scene solely by whether you can still see flames.

The goal isn’t simply:

FIRE OUT.

The goal is:

FIRE OUT → FUEL CONTROLLED → V***RS SUPPRESSED → SCENE SAFE FOR RESCUE AND RECOVERY.

🏁 TRACK RESCUE TUESDAY

What does your track carry for fuel fires—and does everyone on your safety team know whether that foam is actually compatible with the fuels racing at your facility?

08/15/2026

Today, we remember Devonnia Tscheulin, our very first Jump Medic, who passed away on this date three years ago.

Devonnia was a paramedic who dedicated her life to helping others, both on and off the racetrack. She helped set the standard for what a Jump Medic should be—someone willing to go toward the danger when a driver needs help the most.

In her memory, we continue to support the AFE (Amniotic Fluid Embolism) Foundation.

AFE is a rare, sudden, and life-threatening childbirth complication that can occur without warning. The AFE Foundation supports survivors and grieving families, provides education for healthcare professionals, and helps fund and advance research so we can better understand, recognize, and treat this devastating condition.

For us, supporting this organization is personal. Today we remember Devonnia for the lives she touched, the people she helped, and the legacy she left behind.

08/13/2026

https://youtu.be/ithYSKTzP_o?is=9lFTwM6BHUgMm4Wg

After all the discussion about the "insurance" question, we thought...

08/11/2026

08/04/2026

Track Rescue Tuesday

Mission Accomplished Isn’t Luck—It’s Preparation

When the final checkered flag falls and every driver, official, and fan goes home safely, it’s easy to think nothing happened.

The truth is, that’s exactly what success in track rescue looks like.

Much like NASA’s Mission Control celebrating the safe return of Apollo crews, a successful race night is the result of countless people working together behind the scenes. Every responder has a job. Every radio transmission matters. Every decision made in the heat of the moment can change an outcome.

Most fans will never know:

* The fuel leak that was contained before it became a fire.
* The suspension part removed from the racing surface before another car hit it.
* The driver evaluated and safely released after a hard impact.
* The fire extinguished before it spread.
* The race restarted because the safety team worked efficiently.

Those aren’t lucky breaks.

They’re the result of planning, training, communication, and professionalism.

Before the Green Flag

The mission begins long before the first engine fires.

Successful teams:

* Inspect rescue equipment.
* Test radios.
* Check medical supplies.
* Inspect fire extinguishers.
* Review assignments and response plans.
* Discuss weather and track conditions.
* Prepare for the incidents they hope never happen.

When the green flag waves, the preparation is already complete.

During the Race

A great track rescue team isn’t measured by how dramatic their response looks.

They’re measured by:

* Calm decision-making.
* Clear communication.
* Fast but controlled actions.
* Protecting each other while protecting the driver.
* Returning the track to racing safely—not just quickly.

Everyone has a role, and no role is unimportant.

After the Checkered Flag

The job isn’t over.

Professional teams take time to:

* Restock equipment.
* Clean and inspect PPE.
* Refuel response vehicles.
* Replace damaged supplies.
* Conduct an after-action review.
* Ask one simple question:

“What can we do better next week?”

That’s how good teams become great teams.

Mission Complete

At the end of the night, the greatest victory isn’t a trophy or a paycheck.

It’s knowing every responder went home.

Every driver went home.

Every fan went home.

If that happened, then Mission Control can finally lean back, light the celebratory cigar, and say…

“Mission Complete.

Discussion Question:
What was the most challenging incident you’ve ever responded to where preparation made all the difference? Share your experience in the comments so others can learn from it.

07/29/2026

Let’s get this out there

In honor of Case Higgins, we’re launching the .

Case continues to fight every day, and our family continues to pray for him and the Higgins family. Our hope is to encourage every racer to practice one of the most important safety skills there is: getting out of the race car quickly in the event of an emergency.

How to participate:

🔹Have someone video you and post it, tagging Factory Fourteen and using .

🔹Challenge 3 other racers to complete the .

🔹Wear all of your safety gear with your belts latched, neck restraint connected, and visor down.

🔹Start with both hands on the steering wheel. The timer begins the moment your hands leave the wheel.

🔹Before unbuckling your belts, turn off all master/power switches on the dash.

🔹Exit the race car as quickly and safely as possible. The timer stops when both feet touch the ground.

It’s important to us that every driver is confident and comfortable getting out of their race car in an emergency. No matter what type of car you race, what class or division you compete in, or your age, we encourage you to participate and help spread awareness.

To encourage as many drivers as possible to get involved, everyone who completes the and follows the rules will be entered into a drawing. Five winners will each receive a Factory Fourteen merchandise bundle valued at over $100 each.

The challenge runs through August 31st, and we’ll announce the winners on September 1st.

Every driver should practice and become comfortable with the skill of safely exiting their race car in case they are in a situation when it’s needed most. We encourage parents, crews, and teams to make it part of their routine.

Please continue to keep Case and the Higgins family in your prayers. We are believing and praying for his continued strength and healing. ❤️

07/28/2026

🏁 Track Rescue Tuesday: Indiana – A Week That Showed Why We’re the Racing Capital of the World

This week, we’re taking a break from talking about equipment and procedures to recognize something that makes Indiana special—the amount and variety of racing that takes place right here in our backyard.

Over the past week, Indiana truly became the center of the racing world.

USAC Indiana Sprint Week showcased some of the best dirt sprint car racing anywhere, while Brickyard Weekend brought NASCAR’s premier divisions to the Hoosier State. The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series competed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, while the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series raced at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

I had the privilege of serving as a Jump Medic assigned to Tool Truck 3 during the Truck and ARCA events at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. From that position, you’re constantly reminded that every race is a team effort. Rescue crews, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, recovery operators, race control, and track officials all work together with one common goal: making sure every driver has the best possible outcome when something goes wrong.

The best weekends are the ones where fans never notice the safety crews. That means the race ran smoothly, incidents were handled professionally, and everyone was able to do their job.

Whether it’s Indiana Sprint Week at a local dirt track, NASCAR at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or the Trucks and ARCA at IRP, the mission of track rescue never changes. We train for the worst, hope for the best, and stand ready every lap.

Indiana isn’t called the Racing Capital of the World just because of its history. It’s because, week after week, thousands of racers, officials, volunteers, and safety professionals come together to put on some of the best racing anywhere.

To everyone who spent long days and late nights making this incredible week of racing possible—drivers, crews, officials, and especially the men and women working behind the scenes in safety—thank you. It was an honor to be part of it.

Stay safe, stay prepared, and we’ll see you at the track.

Before we wrap up, I’d love to hear from everyone who was part of this incredible week of racing across Indiana.

Whether you worked Indiana Sprint Week, the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series or ARCA Menards Series at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, or even your local short track, share your photos and experiences in the comments below!

Were you a safety worker, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, wrecker operator, official, corner worker, track employee, crew member, or volunteer? We want to see racing through your eyes.

Let’s celebrate the people behind the scenes who help make racing possible every single weekend.

📸 Drop your favorite photos in the comments and tell us where you worked this week. We’d love to highlight the incredible men and women who keep our sport moving safely.

07/21/2026

🚨 Track Rescue Tuesday

Response Vehicle Setup: You Don’t Need a $100,000 Rescue Truck

One of the biggest misconceptions in grassroots motorsports is that you need a purpose-built rescue truck to have an effective safety program.

The truth is…you don’t.

Before we get started, remember this: every track, every team, and every response vehicle is different. What has worked for our team may not necessarily be the best solution for yours. This isn’t the only way to build a response vehicle—it’s simply what has worked well for us over the years. Take these ideas, adapt them to your operation, and build what works best for your team.

When I built our response skid, I had about $500 in materials, along with some plywood, 2×4s, recycled flooring, and a little imagination. The goal wasn’t to build the fanciest truck in the pits. The goal was to build a response vehicle that was organized, functional, and ready when seconds mattered.

Over the years I’ve continued to improve it as our team has grown.

One of the best ways to save money is to shop smart. Don’t be afraid to look at places like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, flea markets, auctions, surplus sales, and local classifieds. You’d be surprised what you can find with a little patience and creativity.

Building your own skid unit allows you to customize it to your truck and your operation. Whether you have a compact pickup, a half-ton, a three-quarter-ton, a one-ton, or even a flatbed, you can build a layout that fits your needs instead of trying to make your truck fit someone else’s design.

One piece of advice I’d strongly recommend is organize your truck around your responders, not your equipment.

Think about who is responsible for each job on your team. If one responder is primarily responsible for fire suppression, place the fire equipment where they naturally work from. If another responder handles rescue tools, keep those tools on their side of the truck. The same applies to medical equipment, cleanup equipment, and stabilization tools.

When everyone knows what they’re responsible for and where their equipment is located, your response becomes faster, smoother, and more efficient.

Personally, I prefer a four-door pickup. It allows me to carry three or four responders together, keeps the crew together while responding, and provides plenty of room for equipment that needs to stay protected from the weather.

I also believe it’s imperative that your response vehicle is equipped with highly visible emergency lighting. Whether your operation uses amber or red lights, the important thing is that the truck is easy to see. Your emergency lighting should make your vehicle clearly visible to race car drivers, race control, corner workers, and other responding units so everyone can quickly identify where the incident scene is located. Good visibility helps improve communication, scene awareness, and overall responder safety.

A response vehicle isn’t judged by how expensive it is.

It’s judged by how quickly your crew can find the equipment they need, how safely that equipment is secured, and how efficiently your team can respond.

Don’t let your budget become an excuse for poor organization.

Build with what you have.
Improve it over time.
Most importantly, build something that works for your team.

Remember, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” response vehicle. Build your skid around the truck you already own, your crew’s responsibilities, and the types of incidents you respond to most often.

Question of the week: What does your response vehicle look like? Post a picture in the comments and tell us why you designed it the way you did. Let’s share ideas and help each other build safer, more effective response vehicles.