The 2015 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway ended in chaos when Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Chevrolet went airborne. As the field roared to the finish line in the early morning hours, chaos erupted in the pack behind race leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota got loose. This ended up setting off a chain-reaction wreck that sent cars scattering. In the mayhem, Dillon’s car was hit from behind. It sent him careening toward the outside wall.

His No. 3 Chevrolet SS went right into the catch fence after it passed the start/finish line and that too at the seventh place. Such was the extent of the crash that the entire cockpit went silent. 

Austin Dillon’s unforgettable crash led to a massive scare among fans

Daytona has always been synonymous with high-speed action and inevitable crashes. Who can forget the tragic day when Dale Earnhardt Sr. lost his life in a devastating wreck at the iconic track? A similar heart-stopping moment occurred when Austin Dillon’s crash sent shockwaves through the crowd, leaving fans in sheer disbelief.

At nearly 200 mph, the force of the impact launched Dillon’s car over two lanes of competitors. His Chevrolet rocketed skyward. It was completely airborne before slamming roof-first into the catch fence. Speaking of the severity of the crash, Dillon said, “You know for me, the crash, I just remember coming to the checkered flag and pushing the 24 which I think Jeff Gordon was his last race. And I see the 12 coming across and then I just flip, and it happened very fast. But then in the air, as I’m traveling through, it kind of slows down. So I just tucked everything up, hit the fence, tore down, came back across and I’m like, okay, it’s over.”. 

It was the violent coalition that ended up his car into debris. Consequently, the force of the impact was so much that it caught the fence and ripped his engine from the chassis. However, just when it seemed like things were getting too stable, Brad Keselowski made the final blow. Speaking of the same, Dillon added, “I remember like, you know talking myself through it. I am good, I’m good, I’m good. And then Brad Keselowski comes in, it feels like 30 seconds later, and wipes me again. That was the shot that didn’t feel great. And you know, we go through it, climbed out of there. It was upside done. 

Even the crowd was left in utter shock and silence. The impact was so violent that crew members from other teams also jumped into the pit road to check on him. To everyone’s shock, Austin Dillon made his way out of the car and waved at everyone, with a smile “Fighting my way out of the car was kind of weird. I probably should have let me flip over, looking back. But I was ready to get out of it. And heat, I got out of the car and waved at the crowd. It is what it is”.

Although the crash was horrific, luckily Dillon walked off with nothing but only a few bruises. Truth be told, the safety measures put in by NASCAR like the SAFER barriers and seatbelt technology lowered the impact of the crash. 

Dillon claimed the same track in 2018

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While for most others, what happened in 2015 would have set a trauma response, Austin Dillon made it a motivational factor. Right in 2018, Dillon lifted the checkered flag at Daytona driving his iconic No.3 car. What made it more special? Well, this was the first time since 1988 that someone driving the No.3 car had made it to the victory line at Daytona. The last time, the steering was at the hands of Dale Earnhardt. Ironically enough, the date marked the 20th anniversary of Earnhardt making it to the win.

Speaking of how he pushed himself to achieve the remarkable feat, Dillon said, “I did what I had to do there at the end. I hate it for the No. 10 (Almirola’s) guys. We had a run, and I stayed in the gas. It is what it is here at Daytona. This is so awesome to take the No. 3 car back to Victory Lane. This one is for Dale Earnhardt Sr. and all those (Dale) Sr. fans. I love you guys. We are going to keep kicking butt the rest of the year!”

Driving the No.3 car for Richard Childress Racing, Dillon is all set to appear for the Daytona race which is only a few days away from now. Will he be able to account for yet another iconic win or will the track prove unlucky for him once again?