During his first race on the Nationwide Series, 20-year-old NASCAR driver Kyle Larson went airborne during the final lap of the 2013 Drive4COPD 300 race at Daytona Speedway, causing injuries to spectators.
Sergeant John Creamer of the Daytona Beach Police said 15 fans were hurt with two suffering “major injuries.” One adult was taken to surgery for treatment of severe head trauma and is listed in critical condition. A 14-year-old was also reported to have suffered a major injury.
Thirteen drivers were involved in a horrific crash that sent Larson’s #32 car into the catch fence that separates the track from spectator seats. A tire, hub and suspension assembly weighing 250 pounds flew into the crowd, raining down large chunks of sharp metal and debris on several individuals. Several of those transported to the hospital suffered large cuts and gashes to their heads and torsos.
The front end of Kyle Larson’s ride was sheared off, with the burning engine and one tire wedged into a gaping hole in the fence.
He said after the crash, “I was getting pushed from behind. Before I could react, it was too late. Flames came in the cockpit, but I was able to get out of the car quickly.”
NASCAR President Mike Helton said, “There were plenty of emergency workers ready to go and they all jumped in pretty quickly. Right now, it’s just a function of determining the damage that was done. They’re moving folks, as we’ve seen, to care centers and have taken some folks over the Halifax Medical.”
Check out Twitter photos that were taken from the stands and view video footage of the crash and one from the stands when the tire hit a spectator:
Photos: Twitter, Video Screen Grabs