NASCAR Fans Injured in Crash at Daytona International Speedway

 Posted on May 26, 2013 in Personal Injury

NASCAR fans who were attending the second-tier Nationwide Series race at the Daytona International Speedway experienced a frightening finish to the race. At least 33 fans were injured when one of the cars crashed through a fence on the track. As reported by NBC Sports, as the field approached the checkered flag, driver Regan Smith tried to preserve his lead position by attempting to block another driver, Brad Keselowski. Triggering a chain reaction, driver Kyle Larson hit the cars in front of him and went airborne into the fence. Larson's car's entire front end was sheared and the burning engine got wedged through a hole in the fence. Chunks of debris from the car were thrown into the stands, including a tire that sailed across the top of the fence and landed midway up the spectator section closest to the track. In an interview, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, who won the race, described the scene, "I looked in the mirror and that's the worst image I've ever seen in a race in my life. I saw a tire about 10 feet from me, just a row above me with a man under it and people yelling for help." Stewart also talked about the danger of the sport, "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." Fourteen fans were treated on site, and another nineteen were taken to area hospitals. Two people were originally reported to be in critical condition but were later upgraded to stable. If you or a family member have been injured at a sporting event, you should consult with an Illinois personal injury attorney to find out what compensation you may be entitled to for any pain or loss you've suffered.