Understanding brain injuries in grassroots dirt track racing
Official title: Characterizing Head Impact Exposure, Tissue-level Brain Response, and Clinical Outcomes in Grassroots Dirt Track Racing
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-10997724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how head injuries from crashes affect young drivers in grassroots dirt track racing, aiming to understand the risks they face compared to professional racers, so we can find ways to make racing safer for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $48,974 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NS139624-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10997724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young drivers under 18 years old who participate in grassroots dirt track racing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not participate in motorsport or are over the age of 18 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of head injuries on young drivers participating in grassroots dirt track racing. It focuses on measuring the forces experienced during crashes and how these forces affect brain tissue and overall health outcomes. By analyzing the differences in injury risks between grassroots and professional racing, the study aims to identify critical factors that contribute to brain injuries. The findings could lead to improved safety measures and interventions for young racers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance safety protocols and reduce the risk of brain injuries in young motorsport participants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding biomechanics in contact sports can lead to significant safety improvements, suggesting potential success for this approach in motorsports.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zoch, Sophia Ruth — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Zoch, Sophia Ruth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.