A windshield protection system has an optically clear sheet of plastic covering the windshield. The clear plastic sheet is attached to the windshield by a gasket around the perimeter of the windshield. A space is formed between the windshield and the clear plastic sheet. An optical matching material is used to fill this space. A valve in the gasket allows the optical matching material to be introduced into the space. The clear plastic sheet may have a hard coating. The clear plastic sheet protects the windshield from rocks that cause breaks, scratches and pitting. The optical matching material is a gel which increases the protection to the windshield and allows for variations in the shapes of windshields for other vehicles.