Insane NASCAR Crash At Daytona Ends With An Engine Nearly In The Grandstands

jogiba · 02-23-2013, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Today is the Nationwide Series' run at Daytona, the Drive4COPD 300. It's a pack racing affair. And like any pack race, there are big crashes. Including one on the final lap that put an engine nearly in the grandstand.

Coming to the checkered flag, leader Regan Smith in the 7 car got turned from behind. The rest of the field was bunched up right behind him.

The ensuing melee took out about a dozen cars. The car of 20-year old Kyle Larson, who is one of the stars of tomorrow, flew into the air and went into the catch fence. The entire front end of the car was ripped off, with the engine and front wheels landing right in front of the grandstands. Larson's car, sans engine, rolled to a stop on the infield. He climbed out, apparently uninjured.

Right now, there is no word on if any fans were injured in the wreck due to flying debris. Our thoughts are with everyone at Daytona, fingers VERY crossed that everyone is ok.

UPDATE: It definitely sounds like there are injuries in the stands. USA Today's Jeff Gluck is tweeting from the scene:

Insane NASCAR Crash At Daytona Ends With An Engine Nearly In The Grandstands (UPDATED)

You Tube

Last edited by jogiba; 02-23-2013 at 06:02 PM.

**grhazelton** · 02-23-2013, 03:19 PM

NASCAR seems relatively "safe" compared to some of the formula races here and in Europe. Have a look at this from Road and Track 10 Most Infamous Crashes in Le Mans Racing History – Collision Video – RoadandTrack.com - Road & Track

And according to this

You Tube

in the 1955 wreck the 'Benz engine separated from the disintegrating vehicle and tore through the crowd. 80 people were killed. In "our" wreck apparently no one was killed. While auto racing will never be completely safe it is much safer than it was!

jogiba · 02-23-2013, 03:37 PM

You Tube

Youtu.be

You Tube

The tire still had the wheel, hub, disk brake rotor and suspension still attached with a total weight of about 120 lbs.

Repairs continue at Daytona :

**Just1MoreDave** · 02-23-2013, 08:25 PM

The only time I have been to Daytona was the first truck series race there. They were unrestricted and I thought it would be cool. A very similar wreck happened around the middle of the race, though the separated motor (Geoff Bodine's #7) was on the track.

jogiba · 02-23-2013, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

The only time I have been to Daytona was the first truck series race there. They were unrestricted and I thought it would be cool. A very similar wreck happened around the middle of the race, though the separated motor (Geoff Bodine's #7) was on the track.

You Tube

Here is a photo of the tire in the stands today :

The engine:

WATCH: View of Daytona crash from the stands in video on USA Today :
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/02/23/fan-injured-daytona-5...edway/1941869/

Biro · 02-24-2013, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by grhazelton

NASCAR seems relatively "safe" compared to some of the formula races here and in Europe. Have a look at this from Road and Track 10 Most Infamous Crashes in Le Mans Racing History – Collision Video – RoadandTrack.com - Road & Track

And according to this Worst Crash Ever - 24 Hours of Le Mans - 1955 (HD) - YouTube in the 1955 wreck the 'Benz engine separated from the disintegrating vehicle and tore through the crowd. 80 people were killed. In "our" wreck apparently no one was killed. While auto racing will never be completely safe it is much safer than it was!

It certainly is... and we have Sir Jackie Stewart to thank for a lot of the added safety. He almost single-handedly organized drvers and collectively they demnded improvements.

Re: The 1955 accident at LeMans. I attended an event at the racetrack at Lime Rock, Connecticut last fall with Sir Stirling Moss, who was in a very strong posiiton to win that race when the crash occured. Mercedes, the team he was driving for, pulled out of the race after the wreck. Moss is still angry about that to this day and believes racing should be dangerous, at least to some extent. Attitudes about this have certainly evolved over the years - generally reflecting changes in the atttiudes of society at large.

**grhazelton** · 02-24-2013, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by Biro

It certainly is... and we have Sir Jackie Stewart to thank for a lot of the added safety. He almost single-handedly organized drvers and collectively they demnded improvements.

Re: The 1955 accident at LeMans. I attended an event at the racetrack at Lime Rock, Connecticut last fall with Sir Stirling Moss, who was in a very strong posiiton to win that race when the crash occured. Mercedes, the team he was driving for, pulled out of the race after the wreck. Moss is still angry about that to this day and believes racing should be dangerous, at least to some extent. Attitudes about this have certainly evolved over the years - generally reflecting changes in the atttiudes of society at large.

Sir Stirling needn't worry about removing all of the danger in racing. I can't imagine how racing could be made completely safe, given the intrinsic conflict between light vehicles - for speed and reasonable fuel economy - and the added weight of some sort of driver "pod" which would protect against all hazards. And what then of the spectators?.... Located 1/4 mile away, watching the race on Jumbotrons? I can't imagine how that could fly!

Ratmagiclady · 02-24-2013, 02:26 PM

Any word on if everyone's all right? I'm kind of not in a space to want to look at people getting hurt right now.

**monochrome** · 02-24-2013, 03:05 PM

The two most seriously injured fans are off the critical list. Apparently no driver was seriously hurt.

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02-23-2013, 08:25 PM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	The only time I have been to Daytona was the first truck series race there. They were unrestricted and I thought it would be cool. A very similar wreck happened around the middle of the race, though the separated motor (Geoff Bodine's #7) was on the track.

02-24-2013, 07:49 AM	#6
Biro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,200	Originally posted by grhazelton NASCAR seems relatively "safe" compared to some of the formula races here and in Europe. Have a look at this from Road and Track 10 Most Infamous Crashes in Le Mans Racing History – Collision Video – RoadandTrack.com - Road & Track And according to this Worst Crash Ever - 24 Hours of Le Mans - 1955 (HD) - YouTube in the 1955 wreck the 'Benz engine separated from the disintegrating vehicle and tore through the crowd. 80 people were killed. In "our" wreck apparently no one was killed. While auto racing will never be completely safe it is much safer than it was! It certainly is... and we have Sir Jackie Stewart to thank for a lot of the added safety. He almost single-handedly organized drvers and collectively they demnded improvements. Re: The 1955 accident at LeMans. I attended an event at the racetrack at Lime Rock, Connecticut last fall with Sir Stirling Moss, who was in a very strong posiiton to win that race when the crash occured. Mercedes, the team he was driving for, pulled out of the race after the wreck. Moss is still angry about that to this day and believes racing should be dangerous, at least to some extent. Attitudes about this have certainly evolved over the years - generally reflecting changes in the atttiudes of society at large.

02-24-2013, 11:17 AM	#7
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	Originally posted by Biro It certainly is... and we have Sir Jackie Stewart to thank for a lot of the added safety. He almost single-handedly organized drvers and collectively they demnded improvements. Re: The 1955 accident at LeMans. I attended an event at the racetrack at Lime Rock, Connecticut last fall with Sir Stirling Moss, who was in a very strong posiiton to win that race when the crash occured. Mercedes, the team he was driving for, pulled out of the race after the wreck. Moss is still angry about that to this day and believes racing should be dangerous, at least to some extent. Attitudes about this have certainly evolved over the years - generally reflecting changes in the atttiudes of society at large. Sir Stirling needn't worry about removing all of the danger in racing. I can't imagine how racing could be made completely safe, given the intrinsic conflict between light vehicles - for speed and reasonable fuel economy - and the added weight of some sort of driver "pod" which would protect against all hazards. And what then of the spectators?.... Located 1/4 mile away, watching the race on Jumbotrons? I can't imagine how that could fly!

02-24-2013, 02:26 PM	#8
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Any word on if everyone's all right? I'm kind of not in a space to want to look at people getting hurt right now.

02-24-2013, 03:05 PM	#9
monochrome Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Working From Home Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,276	The two most seriously injured fans are off the critical list. Apparently no driver was seriously hurt.