Fans at Daytona International Speedway witnessed a spectacular yet terrifying moment when a NASCAR racecar went airborne and completed a backflip during the Daytona 500. The high-speed wreck, which unfolded in a split second, sent shockwaves through the grandstands and had everyone holding their breath.
What Happened?
The incident occurred during an intense battle in the draft, as drivers jockeyed for position in the pack racing that Daytona is known for. As the field raced at nearly 200 mph, slight contact between cars triggered a chain reaction, sending one competitor’s car spinning sideways.
With the aerodynamics of superspeedway racing coming into play, the car caught air, lifted off the ground, and flipped backward in a dramatic airborne crash before slamming back onto the asphalt.
A Frightening but Familiar Sight
This isn’t the first time Daytona has produced a jaw-dropping airborne crash. Fans immediately drew comparisons to past wrecks, including:
• Ryan Newman’s terrifying flip in the 2020 Daytona 500
• Kyle Larson’s violent Xfinity Series crash in 2013
• Geoff Bodine’s infamous 2000 Truck Series wreck
Driver Walks Away Thanks to Safety Innovations
Despite the violent nature of the crash, the driver was able to climb out under their own power, a testament to NASCAR’s continued advancements in safety. Features like the Next Gen car’s reinforced chassis, HANS devices, and SAFER barriers have helped make incidents like this far more survivable than in past eras.
Watch the Insane Flip
The jaw-dropping crash is already going viral,
