Four-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon has a beef that many safety pros can relate to: "It's unfortunate that we're being reactive instead of proactive" when it comes to safety, Gordon said after he crashed at the end of the race at Watkins Glen, N.Y, August 10.

A growing number of drivers are unhappy with current rescue efforts, according to The Associated Press.

Gordon was angry when rescue workers were slow to get to him following his wreck near the finish line. Once the crew got onto the track, the ambulance drove toward his car instead of Gordon, who was already walking away. He angrily gestured for the crew to come get him.

Then, the ride to the care center was mired in bumper-to-bumper fan traffic because there was no clear route for the ambulance to take.

Bobby Labonte and Dale Jarrett were furious over slow response times when they were involved in fiery accidents. Ryan Newman said the crew that responded to him after he flipped at Watkins Glen was unsure how to help him get out of the car.

"They were definitely late," Newman said. "It was pretty ridiculous. When they got there, they didn't know what they were doing."

NASCAR uses local emergency medical technicians as safety workers instead of a full-time traveling crew. Full-time crews are familiar with drivers' medical histories and have thorough experience in responding to wrecks.

"We need to know that they are properly trained, properly informed and prepared," Gordon said. "I want to see trained guys that go to a course away from that race track and are prepared to deal with every situation."

Spoken like a true safety professional.