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A massive wreck on the last lap of Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway sent debris – including a car engine and tire – careening into the frontstretch catchfence and left more than two dozen fans injured.
As of Saturday night, 28 fans had been treated for injuries, either at the track’s care center (14) or at local hospitals, said speedway president Joie Chitwood III.
Byron Cogdell, the public information officer at Halifax Medical Center said seven of the injured from the wreck had arrived there. Six suffered trauma injuries, with two in critical condition and one child with life-threatening injuries, he said.
Six of the injured were also taken to Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange and all were listed in stable condition, Cogdell said.
None of the names of the injured were released.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with our race fans,” Chitwood said.
The wreck, which eventually collected 12 cars, began as the field was exiting Turn 4 and approaching the checkered flag.
Regan Smith, who was leading the race, attempted to block a pass from Brad Keselowski and instead got turned nose-first into the wall. Rookie Kyle Larson, who was in the cars behind those two, got knocked airborne into the catchfence which separates the track from the grandstand seats.
The fencing caught hold of the front of Larson’s car, leaving its engine and one wheel immersed in the fence. Another tire went sailing into the grandstands as did parts of the car.
Tony Stewart was declared the winner of the race.
