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Almost 30 fans in the stands were hurt Saturday when debris from a crash involving multiple cars went past a safety fence in front of the grandstand at Daytona International Speedway.
The accident occurred around 4 p.m. during NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300’s final lap when several cars spun out of control and collided with each other while they were clashing for position. Kyle Larson’s car was cut in half, engine caught fire and car stopped in front of the grandstand where fans were standing along. Larson’s car cut through the fence protecting the fans firing debris reaching up to 45 rows high.
Terry Huckaby, 61, of Tennessee, said “When the car hit, debris went everywhere. It was like a war zone there!” His brother, 53-year-old Eddie Huckaby of Texas, was injured when a 3-feet long piece of metal landed on his upper leg and tore a wound from his hip to his knee but was in stable condition late Saturday.
Speedway officials said they counted 28 victims. Half of them were treated at the track and the other fourteen people were taken from the track by ambulance.
Hospital spokesman said a child and an adult were both critical but was in stable condition late Saturday at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach.
Joie Chitwood, president of Daytona International Speedway, offered sympathy to all the fans who got hurt and said the rescue and emergency process went well.
The NASCAR DRIVE4COPD 300 serves as a prelude to the Daytona 500 which is the grandest event of the season. Officials said the damage will be fixed just in time for 55th Daytona 500.
