I was there the day three race fans were killed at Michigan International Speedway when a wheel flew off an IndyCar driven by Adrian Fernandez and landed three rows from the top of the bleachers.
I was in the pressbox and saw the wheel assembly headed for the stands. No other media members saw it or believed me until a medical helicopter landed behind the grandstands in case a seriously injured fan had to be transported.
Tragically, no one did.
I was watching the race on television in 1987 when Bobby Allison’s car blew a tire, spun and nearly went into the stands in a NASCAR race at Talladega, before the catch-fence tossed it back onto the track.
If that fence had failed to hold that day, NASCAR may no longer exsist as we know it.
Ditto for Carl Edwards’ car at the same track just over two decades later as he battled Brad Keselowski for the win on the final turn.
Keselowski blocked Edwards, the cars collided and Edwards’ car sailed into the fence roof first. Several fans were slightly injured that day, but Edwards walked away unhurt.
Then came Saturday’s Nationwide race at Daytona, where 28 fans were injured _ two seriously _ after a bone-chilling crash as the cars came down for the checkered flag.
The crash happened when leader Regan Smith tried to block Keselowski’s move for the lead and was spun by the current Sprint Cup champion into the wall.
Since it was a green-white-checkered finish, the cars were tightly bunched and the entire field was soon bearing down on Smith’s car.
The driver that got the worst of the crash was rookie Kyle Lawson, who was running in the top 10.
Lawson’s car flew high into the air as he entered the crash and hit the catch fence just short of the flagstand. His car was actually cut in two by the force of the accident.
In fact, the engine of Lawson’s car landed on the walkway seperating the fence from the bleachers. It briefly caught fire before being put out by fire crews.
However, at least one of Lawson’s wheels would fly into the bleachers, which, it’s believed, the worst injuries took place.
At last report, one man in surgery for a major head injury, while a 15-year-old girl was also badly hurt..
Tony Stewart, who won the race spoke very well afterwards when he said, ‘Racing has been dangerous since the beginning, and as drivers we accept that. But when our fans are hurt, it’s an entirely different story. It’s just sad.”
Stewart’s right of course. It’s very sad and incredibly scary when you see something like this happen at a race track to fans hoping to be entertained for a few hours.
There will be outrage of course from those wanting to ban auto racing. It’s likely already started on the internet and will only grow louder as the CNN and FoxNews send reporters to speak to those injured.
I’m not going to tell you there is nothing those fans could do.. or that they were hurt doing what they loved.
That’s a cop out.
Fans like you and me could have been killed on Saturday because a guy threw a block trying to win a race.
Sure it’s Daytona and it’s the first race of the season, yada yada yada.
To me, you don’t blame the catch-fence or bad luck or a car coming apart.
NASCAR has to make an example of Smith. I don’t mean suspend him or fine him, but you can’t just let this go as a “racin’ deal.”
Smith needs to take the blame for this crash and NASCAR needs to hold onto the video to show all upcoming drivers about the evils of blocking _ especially at Daytona and Talladega where the fields are always tightly packed.
Incredibly, this is one place where IndyCar is a bit more advanced than NASCAR. If a driver blocks during an IndyCar race, he’ll get the black flag and be forced to take a drive-through penalty.
Two years ago, three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves had a race win taken away when IndyCar officials determined he had blocked on the final lap.
Now it’s time for NASCAR to follow suit. Throw a black flag or two and drivers will begin to get the hint.
And maybe it will save some lives.