From the Daytona Beach News Journal: The Coke Zero 400 came to a harrowing end early Monday morning when a crash at the finish line at Daytona International Speedway injured 13 fans, sending one to the hospital and destroying the No. 3 Chevrolet of Austin Dillon.
Fans, including Ron Thompson of Deltona, who were seated near the crash said Dillon's car flew into the catch fence and bent it. His engine ended up on the infield grass and Thompson said pieces of the car flew into the stands. Photos taken after the crash show a section of the fencing was ripped away.
Of the 13 fans injured, eight declined treatment on scene, four were treated on site at the Speedway and one fan was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center, said Speedway President Joie Chitwood. That fan was treated and released before 5 a.m., said Speedway spokesman Andrew Booth.
Dillon also was evaluated and released from the care center.
After the race, fans marveled the catch fence worked as well as it did and that NASCAR safety improvements to the cars allowed Dillon to walk away. The crash happened at about 2:41 a.m. , with Dale Earnhardt Jr. winning the rain-delayed race. http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20150706/NEWS/150709721/101040?Title=RACE-FAN-REACTION-Wreck-causes-injuries-at-Daytona-in-Coke-Zero-400
The drivers and crew members were very scared for Dillion and I don't blame them.
But this accident also shows how safe the NASCAR cars are today and I am glad no one was seriously hurt.
And while the drivers don't these kind of races, the fans do. One reason why NASCAR is losing fans is because there is very little passing and very little side by side racing.
A couple of weeks ago, the Indy cars were in Fontana and we, the TV and fans in the stands were treated to an amazing race because the racing was so close and there were about 90 lead changes during the 500 mile race (Kilometers?) But many of the drivers complained about the racing because it was so close the drivers actually had to be careful.
Well, too bad drivers, the fans want to see intense racing, not just cars going around in a circle doing nothing.
So, thank you to the drivers in NASCAR and Indy car who put on 2 very good races in Florida and California in the past 2 weeks.
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