It’s one of the most exciting races of the season. We’re in lap 156 of a 160-lap race. A crucial playoff spot is on the line. Suddenly, a car bumps into you from the back. One moment you are racing for a coveted spot, the very next you’re up in the air. You spin not once, not twice, but 10 times in the air coming to a stop. The right side of the car is on fire. The crowd is hushed and waiting for you to come out. You survive, but wonder what just happened. This is what Ryan Preece lived through after his #41 Ford crashed at Daytona.
It would be natural to assume that the stock car propelled off the ground after hitting a boulder on the side. Yet, Preece’s car did not touch any object before taking off. But Kyle Busch knows who, or what, is responsible.
Ryan Preece’s tragic crash at Daytona leaves viewers stricken
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The Dayton International Speedway was the hosting grounds for the last regular Cup Series race. From Bubba Wallace to Chase Elliott, everyone was eyeing that last playoff spot as fans cheered for their favorite driver. By the time we reached the latter stages of the race, the crowd was still thinking about Ryan Blaney’s crash. And no one was anticipating another mammoth accident overshadowing it. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened.
As the cars exited turn 2, Eric Jones’ #43 Chevrolet hit Ryan Preece’s Mustang left rear, and it careened into the grass on the side of the track. As soon as it touched the infield grass, it catapulted into the air and flipped multiple times, stunning the spectators.
No boulder, no other object, it was simply grass. The tracks are anyway dangerous when multiple cars are racing together in enclosed spaces. But if you’re racing at 190 mph, you really do not expect the track itself to be threatening enough. From Kyle Larson to Bubba Wallace, racers have commented on the severity of the crash and informed that Preece is now doing well. However, Kyle Busch has some choice words reserved for NASCAR after this incident.
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Kyle Busch compares the Daytona incident to something peculiar after Ryan Preece’s accident
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After the crash, Busch was worried about NASCAR’s decision to continue using grass on the side of the tracks, especially considering he too has qualified for playoffs after his three wins in the regular season. He believes it provides a surface for the car to gain undue momentum in a high-speed environment. Busch reinforced that opinion after Preece’s hulking beast of a car shot upward, flipping as if in a simulation game.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “I mean obviously, you know going that fast, car getting turned around backwards, touching grass, lifting, it’s completely it’s a sheet of plywood.” Calling the Next-Gen car a “sheet of plywood,” Busch intentionally, or unintentionally took a dig at NASCAR and its safety standards.
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“You know what I mean? So it just lift way too easy. So that was concerning obviously and then just how fast it took off like it looked like an iRacing track it was crazy! So didn’t know 3,600 pounds could move that fast.”
Kyle Busch reiterated his stance that grass be removed from race tracks (tracks have grass often to help with drainage and/or environmental requirements). He felt Ryan Preece’s car lifted way too easy. His thoughts on the Daytona wrecks: pic.twitter.com/Zy9aYBI6sZ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 31, 2023
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With growing concerns over driver injuries and repeated crashes, will NASCAR take concrete action to make tracks safer in the coming races?
Read More: “Has Been Pretty Weak” – Kyle Busch Gets Lumped in the Same Category as Ross Chastain