A handful of drivers were caught up in a crash Monday night in the Daytona 500 that knocked them out of the race early in the race.
Coming out of Turn 4 on Lap 6, John Hunter Nemechek was on the outside of Harrison Burton as the field entered the tri-oval. Brad Keselowski collided with the rear of Nemechek, who then collided with Burton as he was coming down the track. Burton spun and Carson Hocevar followed.
Burton and Hocevar were unable to stop on the grass and continued to slide.
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Ryan Preece, back left, Kaz Grala, center, and Harrison Burton (21) crash during the opening laps of the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Burton and Hocevar returned to the track near the start-finish line and tagged some other cars.
Ryan Preece was caught in the accident, spun and crashed into the wall toward the pit road exit. Kaz Grala, Austin Dillon and Jimmie Johnson were also involved and saw their evenings essentially ruined.
Burton said it was frustrating to be out of the race so early.
NASCAR STAR COREY LAJOIE TALKS 'WILD EXPERIENCE' RACING AT DAYTONA 500
Harrison Burton (21) sits on the platform in front of pit road after crashing during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, in Daytona Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
“What a shame. I don't know what to say or do differently. I don't think I fully opened up at that point,” she said. “I was just saving fuel and yeah, that's it.”
Hocevar said he had virtually no time to get out of the way.
“I basically had a second. It happened right in my lap,” he said after being released from the infield care center. “I tried my best not to slide on the grass, but with more than two days of rain it was going to be very slippery.”
Ryan Blaney (12) beats Austin Cindric (2) and Daniel Suarez (99) to the line to win the second stage during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. . (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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Chase Elliott would end up winning Stage 1 and Ryan Blaney won Stage 2.
