NASCAR’s latest video, Top 10 Big Ones in the Daytona 500, brought back plenty of chaotic memories from “The Great American Race.” But one wreck, in particular, stood out—not just for the crash itself, but for what Clint Bowyer’s car looked like afterward.
In the final moments of the 2007 Daytona 500, a massive multi-car pileup erupted on the backstretch as drivers scrambled to the finish. While Kevin Harvick edged out Mark Martin in a dramatic drag race for the win, mayhem unfolded behind them. Bowyer, driving the No. 07 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, got caught up in the carnage and went for a wild ride.
His car flipped, tumbled, and eventually landed on its roof—upside down and on fire. But beyond the flames, there was something else unusual: a whole lot of grass.
From Race Car to Greenhouse
As safety crews rushed to assist Bowyer, fans watching the replay noticed that the cockpit of his car was absolutely stuffed with grass, dirt, and debris from the infield. His upside-down slide through the Daytona turf had effectively turned the No. 07 into a makeshift planter, with a healthy collection of sod finding its way inside the car.
It was a bizarre sight—one moment, Bowyer was racing toward the finish, and the next, he was sitting in what looked like a portable botanical garden. Amazingly, he climbed out unhurt and even joked about the wreck afterward.
Bowyer’s Humor Shines Through
In classic Clint Bowyer fashion, he took it all in stride. After emerging from the overturned car, he quipped about the wild ride and his unexpected landscaping project. It was the kind of moment that perfectly summed up Bowyer’s personality—no matter how chaotic things got on track, he always found a way to keep things light.
A Crash for the Highlight Reel
The 2007 wreck remains one of the most memorable Daytona 500 crashes, both for the sheer scale of destruction and for Bowyer’s unexpected agricultural adventure. NASCAR’s new video serves as a reminder of just how unpredictable the sport can be—and how sometimes, a driver can go from contending for a win to unintentionally gardening in a matter of seconds.
