After picking up damage in a crash moments before, Helio Castroneves slammed the wall under the yellow
On Thursday night, NASCAR Cup Series drivers are racing at Daytona International Speedway. The Duel races set the starting lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Four-time Indy 500 winner, Helio Castroneves is making his NASCAR debut. Tonight, he took the green flag for the first time.
Unfortunately, he was caught up is someone else’s mess. And, it got worse from there…
On lap 14 of Duel 1 at Daytona, Chandler Smith cleared himself on Justin Haley. He wasn’t clear and Smith was hooked into the outside wall.
Watch the Helio Castroneves crash video below.
After bouncing off the wall, Smith collected Ty Gibbs, Helio Castroneves and others. At this point, Castroneves had light damage but he did collect the wall.
Under the caution, Castroneves went into the corner with some speed and likely with suspension damage. He clipped the apron and lost control of the car.
Castroneves slammed the outside wall. He came down the banking and the car slammed on the apron before rolling to a stop in the grass.
The driver was seen punching at the steering wheel as he sat on the infield grass.
NASCAR Cup Series cars have a toe link in the rear suspension. It’s designed to be the weakest link, preventing damage to other components in an impact. But when it breaks, it also knocks out the rear toe setting and makes the car hard to control under any scenario.
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Helio Castroneves comments on the crash
After the crash, the driver was quickly treated and released from the infield care center.
“Basically, I was really taking it easy on the high side,” Helio Castroneves told Fox Sports.
“Tried to understand. I lost my leader guy, which was Ross Chastain right on the beginning of the race. But then, I was just taking it easy, understanding how to approach with the throttle. Not trying to be too aggressive and not to brake too hard.”
“It’s kind of like interesting. Honestly, there was a lot of fun. I was having a great time.”
“I don’t know who it was. But, I hit really hard and broke the toe link.”
“I should have brought it down to the warm up lane (apron). The second hit was a little bit tough.”
“The good thing is the guy’s are going to be able to fix the car. I learned so much. Some small details that folks on the other side of the TV don’t understand. It’s so interesting.”
“I have to take the provisional. Obviously, that’s not what we wanted. And in the end, we have more to learn.”
Castroneves will be the first driver to qualify for NASCAR’s new ‘world class driver’ provisional. He’ll start the Daytona 500 in the 41st position after not being able to advance from his Duel result.
The Daytona 500 will see the green flag on Sunday February 16th. It’s the biggest NASCAR race of the season.
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