Ryan Preece suffered a horrific NASCAR crash in August in the former grass at Daytona
There was a horrible crash during a NASCAR Cup Series race back in August. Following that crash, changes have been made to the 2.5-mile track in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Ryan Preece was hooked off turn two at Daytona International Speedway. He slid backwards toward the infield grass at a high rate of speed.
Due to going backwards, the rear spoiler created lift instead of downforce. The 3,400 lbs car was lifted clear off the ground.
The car came back to earth on it’s roof. It dug into the grass and was sent into a violent series of flips.
NASCAR driver placed on a stretcher after Daytona crash (Video)
Preece was transported to a local hospital. However, he escaped the crash with minor injuries.
He was able to race the following week. He did so was bruised eyes.
Since the crash, drivers questioned why the grass was there to begin with. Grass brings up several safety concerns in a wide range of scenarios.
Most of the backstretch was already paved. However, select sections of grass remained, until now.
IMSA recently had a test session at Daytona. During the test, drivers and teams noticed a new section of pavement just before the bus stop chicane. The grass that Preece landed in has been removed.
NASCAR reacts to the Ryan Preece crash at Daytona
Ryan Vargas comments
NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas reacted to the news of the new pavement section:
“More pavement on the backstretch now around where RP flipped. gonna be super weird seeing pavement there but I get why,” Vargas commented.
“I think it’ll save a lot of racecars too.”
“When we had the big one in Daytona 2022 we could’ve had a completely clean car but found ourselves flying through the grass. I swear at one point I had all four off the ground.”
Vargas added, “Had to replace the splitter bars, rear valence and nose.”
Ryan Preece comments after the Daytona crash
