horse tracks

I was watching the IndyCar qualifying for Texas this morning (DVR recording from last night) and something Robbie Buhl said reminded me of an observation I have held for years. Buhl talked about "putting a car in the fence." The reference to the SAFER barrier being a fence may sound witty, but it is a hand-me-down phrase dating back to the earliest days of auto racing. the horse track became the venue of choice in America where public roads were deplorable and rare.