The Rick Hendrick NASCAR crash has prompted reactions from across the motorsport community after a chaotic sequence during a dirt race left key Hendrick Motorsports drivers shaken but unharmed in Placerville, California. The incident, involving Corey Day and Kyle Larson, highlighted both the dangers and unpredictable nature of racing beyond the main NASCAR Cup Series, as team owner Rick Hendrick and his leadership continue to allow their drivers to compete outside traditional events.
Unexpected Turns During an Off-Season Race
Rick Hendrick’s decision to let his drivers participate in dirt racing has always been part of Hendrick Motorsports’ culture, distinguishing the team from organizations like Joe Gibbs Racing, which traditionally restricted such activities. At the Hangtown 100 last week, this philosophy was tested when Corey Day and Kyle Larson—both prominent figures in the NASCAR community—encountered disaster on track. Both were entered in the Placerville event, and both ended up crashing out before the finish, an outcome no team owner hopes to see.
The night started promisingly for Hendrick, with his drivers aiming to sharpen their skills during the off-season. Corey Day, slated for his first full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts campaign, was utilizing these dirt laps as preparation. But the high-speed environment quickly turned perilous, as Day, running second at the time, clipped the rear of a lapped car driven by Gavin Miller. The incident sent Day flipping end-over-end with 42 laps remaining, a jarring moment that brought the risks of mixed-motorsport participation into the spotlight.
Kyle Larson’s night was similarly troubled. While he had taken the lead at one stage, his bid for victory also ended prematurely after a dramatic flip triggered by contact with another competitor, Daison Pursley. Both crashes were rapid, violent, and dashed hopes of a dramatic showdown between the two Californian drivers for Hendrick Motorsports at Placerville Speedway.
Drivers Reflect on the Causes and Consequences
Speaking publicly about the harrowing event, Corey Day provided candid insight into the crash, sharing his experience from behind the wheel. He said,
Yeah, unfortunate, you know people will probably watch it and say I’m an idiot and I ran him over but yeah it’s a whole different view from the driver’s seat in there so yeah it sucked.
— Corey Day, Driver
Day also expressed relief that he wasn’t seriously injured:
It hurt for sure, but luckily my head’s all good and just out last night to see what the track is going to be like with all this rain. And to be honest with you, I’m at this stage of my dirt career; I’m more of a fair-weather racer.
— Corey Day, Driver
Describing the unpredictability of dirt racing, Day explained,
When you’re going that fast and the race pace is that high, when you get to the back end of lap cars, they don’t really know where they’re going. I don’t think the 97 did. He ran the bottom for every lap. I watched him in front of me in three and four. And then, of course I got to him, and he moved up. I guess I don’t know what happened, but he lifted just way early, and that’s kind of what caused it all.
— Corey Day, Driver
This perspective was shaped by the behavior of the No. 97 car, driven by Gavin Miller, whose line change as Day approached triggered the chain reaction. For Day, such situations underline the importance of predicting not just what’s ahead, but also the unexpected moves of slower traffic on unpredictable surfaces—a skillset drivers like Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon have long encouraged their team to develop through diverse racing experience.
Day further thanked those who supported him after the accident, posting a note of appreciation:
Thank you to everyone that has checked on me after last night. Thank you to [Arai Americas, Simpson Racing, Ultra Shield, and Placerville Speedway] safety crew for keeping me safe last night. Pretty banged up but overall ok. See you guys this week, [Factory Kahne] and I have some unfinished business.
— Corey Day, Driver
Veteran Voices Weigh In
The crash’s impact extended beyond those directly involved, drawing responses from veterans in the racing world. Ken Schrader, a well-known figure in NASCAR, commented on the severity of the event:
Yeah, he took a ride. It was not one you want to be in, yeah. Had to be thinking, Oh, I got Corey and Kyle out there upside down. Kyle just spun around in the air. Now he spun around, you know, pretty impressively… Landed, landed, and then tipped over when you’re riding in them.
— Ken Schrader, NASCAR Veteran
Despite the drama, both Day and Larson escaped with minor injuries, quickly reassuring fans and teammates they’d be back on track shortly. Corey Day wasted little time traveling to Merced Speedway for the Chase John Classic, committed to running double duty and handling “unfinished business” with Factory Kahne.
Kyle Larson’s Perspective on Race Day Chaos
Kyle Larson’s own accident—caused during an intense duel with Daison Pursley—sparked heated debates among fans regarding accountability for the flip. Instead of escalating the controversy, the reigning Cup Series champion settled matters with visible sportsmanship, even choosing a slow, sarcastic clap and a double thumbs-up gesture toward Pursley. In his post-race comments, Larson explained,
We had a great car, a good race going. Daison must have built a run on the cushion behind me. Surprised me on the entry to 1 and hit the grease. I had nowhere to go. Just a bummer, but I mean, I get it, just because, you know, my entry was closed off, so he had to pull the trigger right there. I wished it wouldn’t have happened, he wished it wouldn’t have happened.
— Kyle Larson, Driver
Larson described how, with five laps to go, he had command of the race until Pursley carried extra momentum into the first turn, resulting in unavoidable contact due to a slick patch of track. Daison Pursley’s right rear tire brushed Larson’s left front, causing his No. 6 car to roll dramatically through the air. Both drivers walked away, but the episode stood as a reminder—acknowledged by all involved—of dirt racing’s unforgiving nature and the razor-thin margin separating triumph from disaster.
Team Policy Encourages, But Also Tests, Drivers
Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon have maintained a policy of allowing their top drivers like Corey Day and Kyle Larson the freedom to hone their craft in varied environments. For the Hendrick Motorsports organization, off-season dirt racing is seen as both an opportunity and a calculated risk. The events in Placerville, which saw both the experienced Larson and an emerging talent like Day facing wild crashes on the same night, tested that philosophy under high visibility.
Other teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing have historically discouraged drivers from racing outside the main series, only recently relaxing those boundaries. The willingness of Hendrick and Gordon to continue granting their drivers this liberty will remain a topic of discussion, especially after the visible setbacks at Placerville. However, the valuable experience accrued in high-pressure, slippery conditions on dirt continues to shape drivers’ adaptability and resilience.
Looking Ahead After the Wild Night in Placerville
Now, as both Corey Day and Kyle Larson regroup and recover, the dual crash at Placerville underscores the unpredictable line motorsport teams walk between development and danger. For Rick Hendrick, the NASCAR crash serves as both a cautionary tale and an endorsement of cultivating rounded driver skills as they prepare for major events like the NASCAR Cup Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts season.
The incident’s aftermath shows the complex layers of professional racing, from the intense camaraderie on teams like Hendrick Motorsports to the passionate reaction from fans and veterans alike. The audience, including sports fans and industry insiders, will closely watch how policy evolves and how quickly emerging drivers like Day and champions such as Larson rebound from setbacks, both in the dirt and on asphalt tracks nationwide.
