Austin Dillon survives frightening crash at Daytona

  • By David Scott The Charlotte Observer
  • Monday, July 6, 2015 4:53pm
  • SportsSports

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Austin Dillon walked away from a violent crash at Daytona International Speedway early Monday morning with a bruised tailbone and forearm and a strong opinion about racing at NASCAR’s fastest tracks.

Dillon’s Chevrolet careened at about 200 mph into a 22-foot high catch fence along the frontstretch of Daytona International Speedway early Monday morning as the rain-delayed Coke Zero 400 ended.

After being released from the infield care center, he said he worries that the speeds the cars are running at Daytona and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway continue to be too high.

“It’s not really acceptable,” he said. “We’ve got to figure this out. I think the speeds are too high. We can have good racing at lower speeds, but we’ve got to figure out how to keep cars on the ground.

“I hope the fans enjoy it, but we don’t. But that’s our job. You go out there and hold it wide open to the end.”

Dillon then invoked an old racing saying.

“It’s ‘checkers or wreckers,’ “ he said. “You just hope you make it through.”

The accident also shook race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who’s father, Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt, was killed in a last-lap crash at Daytona in 2001. Earnhardt Jr. watched the crash in his rear-view mirror.

“I was near tears,” he said. “You don’t want to see anybody get hurt. It’s awful. It’s an awful feeling.”

Dillon’s crash happened as a pack of cars crossed the start-finish line behind Earnhardt and runner-up Jimmie Johnson. It appeared to start when Kevin Harvick pushed Denny Hamlin, lifting the rear of Hamlin’s car off the ground. That caused a chain reaction behind them, with Dillon jumping across two other cars, then flying into the fence.

Dillon’s car was totaled and sustained further damage when it was hit by Brad Keselowski’s Ford after settling on the track. The fence was twisted and mangled.

Speedway president Joie Chitwood said three fans were treated with minor injuries from debris flying into the stands. A fourth was transported to a local hospital and released early Monday.

Members of Earnhardt’s crew, who were heading out to congratulate their driver, ran instead to help Dillon, who climbed out of the car relatively unhurt.

“It was very vicious,” Dillon said of the crash. “It’s swishing around in there and the belts are loosening with each hit. The fourth one is going to hurt more than the others.”

Chitwood and NASCAR spokesman Brett Jewkes said after the race they were pleased the catch fence stopped Dillon’s car the way it did. Daytona reinforced its catch fences after a similar wreck involving Kyle Larson in an Xfinity Series race in 2013.

“I’m really proud of the fact that the fence worked,” Chitwood said. “We’ll take this situation and we’ll learn from it.”

Said Jewkes: “We’ll look at every part of the incident, from the accident to the aftermath. If there are areas we need to address, we will.”

Rain forced the start of the race to be delayed by 3 hours and 34 minutes (with an 11:42 p.m. start time Sunday).

“You can feel the weight of the day kind of on you, on your eyes,” runner-up Jimmie Johnson said of the long delay. “Just sitting around and waiting for it, there was a feeling at about 8 or 8:30 the deal was over, so mentally I started shutting down. Being in the sport as long as I have, you learn how to turn it off and on.”

Earnhardt didn’t celebrate much after his victory. He said he would wait until after he returned home to Mooresville later Monday and got some sleep before doing that. But the sight of Dillon’s car going airborne and hitting the fence still had left him shaken.

“You think about the car getting that high, what has it done and is there any danger to the spectators,” Earnhardt said. “I didn’t care about anything except for just figuring out who was OK.

“I mean, racing doesn’t matter any more.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.