Daytona crash injures 33 Nascar fans

Daytona crash injures 33 Nascar fans as debris peppers grandstand

At least 33 Nascar fans were injured when a car flew into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, hurling a tyre and large pieces of debris into the stands....more »

Daytona crash injures 33 Nascar fans as debris peppers grandstand

At least 33 Nascar fans were injured when a car flew into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, hurling a tyre and large pieces of debris into the stands.

Saturday's accident happened on the last lap of the second-tier Nationwide Series race on the eve of Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500, which officials said would go ahead as scheduled.

As the field approached the chequered flag, the leader, Regan Smith, attempted to block Brad Keselowski to preserve his lead. That triggered a chain reaction, rookie Kyle Larson hit the cars in front of him and his car was sent airborne into the fence.

The front end was sheared off Larson's car, and his burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence. Chunks of debris from the car were catapulted into the stands, including a tyre that cleared the top of the fence and landed midway up the spectator section closest to the track.

The 20-year-old Larson stood in shock several yards away from his car as fans in the stands waved frantically for help.

"It was freaky. When I looked to my right, the accident happened," said Rick Harpster, a fan. "I looked over and I saw a tyre fly straight over the fence into the stands,. I knew it was going to be severe."