Medical update on the 73 year old racing driver
On Friday, the NASCAR Truck Series raced at Talladega Superspeedway. There was a scary incident in the final stage of the race.
On lap 65, Norm Benning’s truck abruptly caught fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown but a blown motor is likely.
The car was up in smoke and flames entering turn one. He wasn’t able to get it stopped until the backstretch.
The truck remained on flames for awhile before the fire suppression system kicked in and put out the flames. But, at the same time, that only filled the cockpit with more smoke.
Benning was able to climb out of the truck. He laid on the ground, next to the truck directly after climbing out.
The driver was then placed in an ambulance and taken to the infield care center for treatment.
Benning is 73 years old.
Talladega Race Results: October 17, 2025 (NASCAR Trucks)
Medical Update
Around 7:00pm ET, NASCAR released a medical update:
NASCAR stated, “Norm Benning has been treated and released from the infield care center.”
Norm Benning comments
“I had a little smoke inhalation in the right lungs,” Benning told Bob Pockrass.
“I gotta go back in the morning for some treatments. But, I’ve never been in an explosion like that. That whole bottom end of that engine must have just came apart.”
“I’ve never got out of a racecar so fast in my life. I had the belts loose before I got stopped. Just got out of there as quick as I could.”
“I was holding my breath. I couldn’t hold my break anymore. My whole right side feels like it got sunburn. But, I’m fine, I’ll be at Martinsville next week.”
“I’m just disappointed I lost an engine. That’s my concern, I’m fine. The engines only had two races on it.”
“I didn’t like the fact I couldn’t breathe. And the fire got my whole right side. No blisters or anything.”
