Last-Lap Crash Injures Nascar Fans - Wall Street Journal

Associated Press

Associated Press

Kyle Larson goes into the catch fence in the crash.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—At least 33 Nascar fans were injured Saturday when large chunks of debris, including a tire, sailed into the grandstands when a car flew into the fence at Daytona International Speedway on a frightening last-lap accident in the second-tier Nationwide Series race.

The crash began as the field closed in on the finish line and sent rookie Kyle Larson's car sailing into the fence that separates the track from the seats.

Nascar onlookers were injured when large chunks of debris, including a tire, sailed into the grandstands when a car flew into the fence on a frightening last-lap accident. Video courtesy of ESPN.

Large chunks of Mr. Larson's car landed in the grandstands. The car itself had its entire front end sheared off, with the burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence.

Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood said 14 fans were treated on site, and 14 fans were taken to local hospitals. Mr. Chitwood did not give any updates on their conditions. Local officials said 19 fans were taken to neighboring hospitals, including two who arrived in critical condition but were later listed in stable condition.

Volusia County spokesman Dave Byron said six people with serious injuries were taken by ambulance to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.

Lindsay Rew, a spokeswoman for Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, said its Daytona Beach hospital had one fan there who was in good condition. She said they were expecting three more people who were coming by ambulance, but she didn't yet know their conditions.

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Medical officials assist fans in the stands.

"There obviously was some intrusion into the fence, and fortunately with the way the event's equipped up, there were plenty of emergency workers ready to go and they all jumped in on it pretty quickly," Nascar President Mike Helton said after the accident. "Right now, it's just a function of determining what all damage is done."

Mr. Chitwood said he was confident the track would be repaired in time Sunday for the Daytona 500.

He also said he doesn't anticipate moving any fans from those affected seats for Sunday's race. He said the fence that separates the track from the seats would be repaired. The grandstands where fans were injured are about 200 feet from the start-finish line.

As emergency workers tended to injured fans and ambulance sirens wailed in the background, a somber Tony Stewart skipped the traditional post-race victory celebration.

Mr. Stewart, who won for the 19th time at Daytona and seventh time in the last nine season-opening Nationwide races, was in no mood to celebrate.

"The important thing is what going on on the front stretch right now," said Stewart, the three-time Nascar champion. "We've always known, and since racing started, this is a dangerous sport. But it's hard. We assume that risk, but it's hard when the fans get caught up in it.

"So as much as we want to celebrate right now and as much as this is a big deal to us, I'm more worried about the drivers and the fans that are in the stands right now because that was...I could see it all in my mirror, and it didn't look good from where I was at."

The accident spread into the upper deck and emergency crews treated fans on both levels. There were five stretchers that appeared to be carrying fans out, and a helicopter flew overhead. A forklift was used to pluck Mr. Larson's engine out of the fence, and there appeared to be a tire in the stands.

This will be the third time in four years the track has needed major repairs on Daytona 500 weekend. The 2010 race was interrupted for more than two hours because of a pothole on the track. Juan Pablo Montoya slammed into a jet dryer in last year's race that caused a raging inferno that stopped the event for two hours.

Mr. Chitwood, the Daytona president, stressed that proper safety protocols were met.

"Our security maintained a buffer that separates the fans from the fencing area," he said. "With the fencing being prepared tonight to our safety protocols, we expect to go racing tomorrow with no changes."

Mr. Chitwood waited by steps as emergency workers attended to those in the stands. Across the track, fans pressed against a fence and used binoculars trying to watch. Wrecked cars and busted parts were strewed across the garage.

"It's a violent wreck. Just seeing the carnage on the racetrack, it's truly unbelievable," driver Justin Allgaier said.

It was a chaotic finish to a race that was stopped nearly 20 minutes five laps from the finish by a 13-car accident that sent driver Michael Annett to a hospital, where his Richard Petty Motorsports team said he would be held overnight with bruising to his chest.

The race resumed with three laps to go, and the final accident occurred with Regan Smith leading as he headed out of the final turn to the checkered flag. He acknowledged trying to block Brad Keselowski to preserve the win.

"I tried to throw a block, it's Daytona, you want to go for the win here," Mr. Smith said. "I don't know how you can play it any different other than concede second place, and I wasn't willing to do that today. Our job is to put them in position to win, and it was, and it didn't work out."

As the cars began wrecking all around Messrs. Smith and Keselowski, Mr. Stewart slid through for the win, but Mr. Larson plowed into Mr. Keselowski and his car was sent airborne into the stands. When Mr. Larson's car came to a stop, it was missing its entire front end. The 20-year-old, who made his Daytona debut this week, stood apparently stunned, hands on his hips, several feet away from his car, before making the mandatory trip to the care center.

He later said his first thought was with the fans.

"I hope all the fans are OK and all the drivers are all right," Larson said. "I took a couple big hits there and saw my engine was gone. Just hope everybody's all right."

He said he was along for the ride in the last-lap accident.

"I was getting pushed from behind, I felt like, and by the time my spotter said lift or go low, it was too late," Mr. Larson said. "I was in the wreck and then felt like it was slowing down and I looked like I could see the ground. Had some flames come in the cockpit, but luckily I was all right and could get out of the car quick."

It appeared fans were lined right along the fence when Mr. Larson's car sailed up and into it.

"Honestly, the race itself pales in comparison to the injuries sustained by the fans," said Chip Ganassi, the team owner who has Mr. Larson in his driver development program. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the fans that were injured as a result of the crash. As for Kyle, I am very happy that he is OK."

Mr. Keselowski watched a replay of the final accident but said his first thoughts were with the fans. As for the accident, he agreed he tried to make a winning move and Mr. Smith tried to block.

"He felt like that's what he had to do, and that's his right. The chaos comes with it," Mr. Keselowski said. "I made the move and he blocked it, and the two of us got together and started the chain events that caused that wreck. First and foremost, just want to make sure everyone in the stands is OK and we're thinking about them."

Mr. Keselowski said the incident could cast a pall on Sunday's Daytona 500.

"I think until we know exactly the statuses of everyone involved, it's hard to lock yourself into the 500," Mr. Keselowski said. "Hopefully, we'll know soon and hopefully everyone's OK. And if that's the case, we'll staring focusing on Sunday."