Car races are awesome to watch, with the speed, the cars and adrenaline! Recently though, some fans received the brunt of a horrific last-lap accident that involved a NASCAR player at Daytona International Speedway. Boston Globe reports that a total of 13 fans were attended to in the grandstands, 8 declined treatment, 4 were treated at the track and one was sent to the hospital (but in a stable condition).
The incident occurred when Austin Dillon’s car flew and landed on the tracks upside down and was struck by another. Dillon was seen and released in Daytona’s infield care center, but said he sustained a bruised arm and tailbone.
‘‘I am just going to be really sore; it got my tailbone pretty good and my arm,’’ he said. ‘‘But just thank the good Lord for taking care of me and for what NASCAR has done to make the sport this much safer
The recent security protocols taken by the NASCAR helped to prevent serious injuries from happening. Prior to the installation of the fence, this incident could have led to the death of many.
Joie Chitwood III, president of the speedway said “I’m really proud of the fact that the fence worked,” he said. “We will take this situation, we will learn from it, we will analyse it.”
It’s amazing how Dillon escaped that kind of crash with no injury. Dillon has since thanked those who rushed out to rescue him. He twitted:
The race was eventually won by Dale Earnhardt Jr. after a dominating night in a dramatic finish.