DAYTONA, Fla. – Debris from a car that crashed into the catchfence at Daytona International Speedway sent a spectator to the hospital, officials said.
The incident took place during the final lap early Monday morning of the rain-delayed Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
When Austin Dillon’s car was making a turn, it went flying into the catchfence, sending a massive cloud of debris in to the grandstand.
Worst wreck I've ever seen in my life. #NASCAR #CoCaColaZero400 #cokezero400 @disupdates
Thirteen spectators were medically evaluated, said Joie Chitwood III, president of the speedway.
Eight declined treatment, four were treated on site and one was taken to the hospital in stable condition, he said.
“I’m really proud of the fact that the fence worked,” he said. “We will take this situation, we will learn from it, we will analyze it.”
Dillon’s car landed on the tracks upside down and was struck by another. He however walked away.
Dillon drives the No. 3 car — the same as Dale Earnhardt Sr., who was killed in a wreck during the Daytona 500 in 2001.
His son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., won Sunday night, his fourth win at Daytona.
