Ryan Preece relives Daytona horror wreck fearing the worst as his No. 60 Ford was sent soaring through the air. The terrifying crash at Daytona International Speedway brought back haunting memories of Austin Dillon‘s infamous accident, raising serious safety concerns. With the risk of breaching the catch fence arising, Preece braced for impact, hoping to avoid a catastrophic outcome. What happened next left fans and experts questioning the stability of NASCAR’s Next-Gen car.
Key Highlights
- Ryan Preece feared replicating Austin Dillon’s 2015 crash, where the car went airborne into the stands.
- Preece’s crash evoked memories of Dillon’s incident, heightening concerns about spectator safety.
- The Next-Gen car’s robustness was crucial in preventing Preece’s car from breaching the spectator area.
- The incident highlighted the persistent airborne risks associated with NASCAR’s Next-Gen vehicles.
- Preece’s experience shows the urgent need for safety improvements in NASCAR to prevent potential disasters.
Ryan Preece’s Terrifying Daytona 500 Crash
The intensity of motorsport was vividly evident when Ryan Preece found himself in a chilling moment of peril during the Daytona 500, a race notorious for its high stakes and even higher speeds.
As the Connecticut native navigated the treacherous 2.5-mile oval, his debut for RFK Racing took a terrifying turn. In a split instant, Preece’s No. 60 Ford was catapulted into the air after a harrowing collision with Bell, a scenario eerily reminiscent of his previous unsettling experiences at the ‘World Center of Racing.
The crash not only threatened his safety but also cast a shadow of fear over the onlookers, as memories of Austin Dillon’s infamous Coke Zero 400 crash arose. Preece’s thoughts raced, fearing for the lives of spectators, hoping to avert a catastrophe by not breaching the protective barriers.
Preece’s Nightmare Unfolds Again at Daytona
Ryan Preece, once again, found himself facing the perilous reality of motorsport as his nightmare seemed to replay on the unforgiving asphalt of Daytona International Speedway.
With eight laps remaining, the echoes of a past horror resurfaced as his No. 60 Ford soared, leaving him in a terrifying silence within the cockpit. Preece’s thoughts were consumed by his daughter, a reflection of the gravity of the moment and the fragility of life at such high speeds.
“All I thought about was my daughter.” – (Preece)
Reflecting on this heart-stopping incident, Preece shared his thoughts with Corey LaJoie, revealing the haunting silence that enveloped him as he was airborne. Despite the chaos, the Next-Gen car’s resilience guaranteed his safe escape.
“All I heard next before this all happened was they’re wrecking, you know. And then bam! It was like split second. Yeah, it was kind of like Talladega nights. That’s actually, right there in that moment I’m like eyes are closing and it gets, as you know, dead silent.” – (Preece)
“And I knew for how long it was dead silent, I’m like in my head I think I’m like 10 feet, 15 feet in the air and I’m launching it past the grandstand. And you’re like, damn past the fence. Did you see the rear brakes lock up when I hit the brake pedal in the air? Thought I was gonna stop it. I was like, ‘Here’s my ticket, I want off the ride. I don’t wanna get on here.’” – (Preece)
Fear of Repeating Austin Dillon’s Horror Crash
Haunting memories of past tragedies arose as Preece navigated the treacherous track at Daytona, his mind inevitably drawn to the chilling incident involving Austin Dillon in 2015.
Dillon’s car had soared into the stands, leaving a trail of chaos and concern as it collided with the catch fence, causing injuries to himself and several spectators. The aftermath of that fateful race, with fans being treated for injuries and the tangible fear that gripped the audience, weighed heavily on Preece as he faced the familiar curves of Daytona.
Preece, acutely aware of the potential for catastrophe, was determined to avoid replicating Dillon’s harrowing experience.
As his No. 60 Ford hurtled through the air, his focus was on preventing the vehicle from breaching the spectator area. Fortunately, the car descended before disaster could ensue, averting a repeat of the horror that had unfolded years prior.
NASCAR’s Airborne Problem with the Next-Gen Car
In recent years, NASCAR’s Next-Gen cars have faced mounting criticism due to their alarming propensity for becoming airborne during high-speed races, a concern highlighted by several harrowing incidents that have left drivers and fans on edge.
Observations from recent races show this critical issue, as evidenced by the unsettling experiences of several drivers. Among them:
- Josh Berry’s crash at the 2024 Coke Zero Sugar 400, where his vehicle slammed roof-first, showing the perilous risk of these aerodynamic failures.
- Harrison Burton’s inversion during the 2022 ‘Great American Race’, which further exemplified the Next-Gen car’s troubling airborne tendencies.
- Chris Buescher’s incident at the Coca-Cola 600 last year, where his vehicle’s unexpected lift-off mirrored a growing pattern of aerial mishaps.
Ryan Preece, reflecting on his experiences, expressed profound concern, as cars lifting off the ground pose not only a threat to driver safety but also a potential hazard to spectators.
“Cars lifting off the ground like that, like I mean that felt honestly worse than Daytona in ’23. Everything about it. I mean everything about the airborne, heading towards the fence. I mean it’s just, it’s not a good place to be in so…honestly with a hit like that, a head-on impact, I don’t really think should have gone airborne right?” – (Preece)
NASCAR Must Address Safety Before It’s Too Late
The harrowing incidents with NASCAR’s Next-Gen cars, emphasizing their alarming propensity to become airborne, show an urgent need for NASCAR to prioritize safety improvements before calamity strikes.
Despite no fatalities since Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s tragic 2001 accident, recent events signal an unstable course. The Next-Gen car, though engineered for advanced performance, has exposed vulnerabilities that could escalate into catastrophic consequences if left unaddressed.
Ryan Preece’s recent narrow escape at Daytona amplifies the necessity for NASCAR to shift from a reactive to a proactive stance on safety protocols. This entails rigorous reassessment and improvement of vehicle design, track safety measures, and emergency response strategies.
The fortuity of Preece’s survival should serve as a call for NASCAR’s governing bodies to implement stringent safety standards, ensuring that drivers are not left to gamble with their lives.
News in Brief: Ryan Preece Relives Daytona Horror Wreck
Ryan Preece’s harrowing experience at Daytona serves as a clear reminder of the persistent dangers inherent in NASCAR, highlighting the urgent need for improved safety measures.
The specter of airborne crashes, reminiscent of Austin Dillon’s traumatic incident, arises, posing a major threat to driver safety and spectator welfare. As the Next-Gen car era unfolds, NASCAR faces a critical juncture, necessitating immediate attention to aerodynamic vulnerabilities to prevent future tragedies and guarantee the sport’s enduring legacy.
