“[Dale Earnhardt] Junior Was Terrified” – Fans Unearth the Horrifying Incident at Daytona 8 Years Ago That Sent Shockwaves Through the NASCAR Community

Smoke billowed in the air and a battered mangled car enmeshed in the fence—pieces flying everywhere, hitting spectators. Viewers waiting with bated breath were witnesses to a scene straight out of a dystopian post-world era. Forever imprinted in the minds of the community, it is rare to see crew members of competitor teams racing on the field to check a race car collision. That’s exactly what happened at Daytona Motor Speedway in 2015.

Austin Dillon’s Chevrolet racing at 200 mph hit Denny Hamlin’s Toyota and flew over nearly two lanes to collide with the safety catch fence. Considered one of the most frightening NASCAR crashes of all time, the disturbing images resurfaced on social media recently. And, fans agreed that even race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr of Hendrick Motorsports would come to the same assessment.

Austin Dillon’s terrifying crash brutally affected the NASCAR community

The ‘big one’ happened on a rain-marred night at the Coke Zero 400. Denny Hamlin’s #11 Toyota and Kevin Harvick’s #4 Chevrolet bumped together at the tail end of the race. Dillon’s #3 car took the brunt force from the cascading effect of that hit. The force of the collision in the catch fence halted the momentum of the Chevy. The fence broke, the pipes bent and debris flew everywhere. And it didn’t just stop there.

After the car fell upside down on the tracks, it collided with the spinning #2 Ford of Brad Keselowski. It was heartening to see Junior’s crew running to assist the car as silence screeched across the stadium. After a moment, the crowd erupted into a deafening roar as crew members gave thumbs-ups to signal Dillon’s condition.

They permanently etched the sight of Dillon walking away in the pages of NASCAR history. Even race winner Junior admitted to being fearful at his post-win interview.

“It scared the hell outta me, I’ll be honest with you. I saw the whole thing happen. You look in the mirror the whole last lap and saw Denny get turned and I guess that’s kinda how it started.

It was terrifying to watch…It was touch and go there for several moments. I’m so thankful, I’m more thankful for that everybody is okay.”

The crew chief of Junior’s #88 Chevrolet also echoed that sentiment. Speaking to a NASCAR reporter, Greg Ives said, “Well, you know in the end you don’t wanna put anyone else in more harm’s way. You know the drivers have great safety equipment with what NASCAR implemented.

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You know first they looked at me, made sure it was okay to go and I was kinda their eyes and ears, make sure no car was coming, and then you know, I wanted them to make sure he was okay. So they gave me a thumbs up but….I also wanted them to make sure Austin stays calm in the car if that’s what he needed. And in the end, he was able to climb out on his own.”

The drivers and crew aren’t the only ones grateful for his survival. Fans went through a roller coaster of emotions that night, the pictures permanently etched in their minds.

NASCAR fans still shaken up over Austin Dillon’s death-defying collision

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A Reddit user has posted several images detailing the crash with bone-chilling clarity. The #3 car flying and breaking net pipes to a close-up shot of the damaged Chevy without its front bumper. Naturally, it has refreshed fans’ memories about the devastating nature of the collision.

“Was the only one awake at my house watching live. I woke everyone up with the “holy s**t” I let out. I thought I had just watched someone die. I’ll make fun of the guy any chance I get but was absolutely giddy with relief when he climbed out.”

“Holy cr*p. That is terrifying. And heartbreaking”

“It was an insane moment watching live, really really tense”

Additionally, the visual aid took fans back in time to the moment when Dillon’s condition was unknown. Everyone present, including Junior and his crew, was deeply concerned about his well-being.

“Junior was terrified for Austin on the radio just after winning the race and seeing it all in his mirror.”

“The 2015-era #88 crew deserves a big shout-out for that night too. Qualifying was rained out and Junior started on pole by virtue of having the fastest time in 1st practice. #88 crew had the first pit stall and they were the first ones to Austin’s car to check and see if he was okay. Like Junior, they were not at all worried about celebrating”

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The reminder of these crashes, as resurfaced on Reddit, serves as a wake-up call to the importance of safety measures in these events. As Ives pointed out, NASCAR has taken stringent measures over the years. The brutal crash and Austin Dillon coming out alive from it are proof of that.