NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kyle Larson (32) goes up into the fence after being involved in a crash on the final lap during the DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Sam Sharpe, USA TODAY Sports
By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY Sports
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - After 28 fans were injured by debris scattered
by a Nationwide Series crash Saturday, Daytona International Speedway
president Joie Chitwood put himself in their place Sunday.
The
president of Daytona International Speedway sat in Sections H and I of
the Campbell Grandstands for the first 30 laps of the Daytona 500.
Taking in the race where a loose tire and many sharp projectiles landed
after Kyle Larson's Chevrolet sailed into the catchfence, Chitwood said
he politely declined a beer from a few who greeted him warmly for his
show of solidarity.
"I just felt it was appropriate," he said Monday during a breakfast
honoring race winner Jimmie Johnson. "I run this track. I'm comfortable
sitting in any seat. I thought it was the right thing to do. I wanted
(the fans) to see me there sitting with them."
Chitwood said he was unaware of any fans who requested to be moved from
the two sections of the stands where the fence was replaced. The track
also couldn't confirm how many fans who were treated for injuries
Saturday returned to the track Sunday.
NASCAR began analyzing the wreck Monday at its R&D Center in
Concord, N.C., consulting with outside experts to examine Larson's car
and video replays that might help determine why its front end was
sheared off in the wreck. Chitwood said he could meet with NASCAR vice
president of race operations Steve O'Donnell as early as this week.
Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, whose team supplied the
engine in Larson's Chevy, said the catchfence performed adequately by
keeping the car out of the stands but added it was important to learn
why the front of the car disintegrated. Hendrick said it might require
minor tweaks of the chassis.
"Most of the time, the suspension is
not going to come out from under the car," he said. "They said they
haven't found parts of the transmission and bell housing. It could be in
that SAFER barrier somewhere. That was a horrendous wreck. I'm just
glad nobody got killed. ... Whatever we have to do for safety, we're all
for that. We don't need anyone getting hurt. We don't need fans getting
hurt."