Auto racing safety pioneer Bill Simpson died Monday at age 79 following a stroke, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America announced on Facebook.
Simpson is credited with developing the first parachute to slow a drag racing car and coming up with the idea to use Nomex to create fireproof racing suits. His company, Simpson Performance Products, remains one of the largest manufacturers of helmets, harnesses and other auto racing equipment today. R.I.P. Bill
