Danica Patrick on fire in final NASCAR race

Danica Patrick on fire and out of the race at lap 142

Ahead of today’s race, Danica Patrick announced her retirement as a full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver.

On Lap 142 Danica Patrick went into the wall and caught fire. The back end on the #10 machine came around as Danica entered the corner.

As soon as she corrected with a turn to the right, it stuck. Danica took a hard right hand turn into the wall. Kasey Kahne was on the brakes but got into the back of her after she clipped the wall.

The right front caught fire. As smoke filled the cockpit she eventually had to bring it to a stop, just short of pit road.

Related: Danica Patrick fights tears in retirement announcement (video)

Danica Patrick Interview
Homestead-Miami Speedway

“I hit the wall in 3 and 4 and just got a tire rub,” Danica Patrick states to NBC Sports while leaving the infield care center.

Danica Patrick - Final start at Homestead
Danica Patrick – Before final start at Homestead

“I blew a right rear. I think it was the right rear.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda just the story of the year. Kinda all the things that pointed me in the direction that I ended up going. I’d start to run better and just things would happen.”

“Yeah, that was my fault. I mean, it was my fault I hit the wall.”

“But, I asked if it looked up and they said, ‘it looked alright.’ Then, it blew.”

Silver lining that you’ll run the 2018 Daytona 500?

“Yeah, sure. Lets hope I don’t end up in the medical center.”

In 2018, she’s planned a retirement tour. Danica Patrick plans to run both the Daytona 500 and the Indy 500.

Related: Danica Patrick and Chip Ganassi in 2018?

Links

Danica Patrick | NASCAR

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