NASCAR Daytona International Speedway

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Annett Recovering from Injury Suffered at Daytona

Michelle NASCAR Nationwide Series
Michael Annett, driver of the #43 Pilot Ford, walks on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2013 Photo - Jerry Markland/Getty Images
Michael Annett, driver of the #43 Pilot Ford, walks on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on February 22, 2013
Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

Everything in life carries risks. Every time we wake up and get ready for the day, everything we do has its own risks. Every time a NASCAR driver climbs behind the wheel and straps in, they know their risk of getting hurt or possibly even killed.

Since NASCAR’s inception, several drivers have lost their lives and countless others have suffered a variety of injuries. When a driver gets hurt, they will still try to climb behind the wheel the following weekend unless it’s prevented by the severity of their injury. They may also have a driver on stand-by for a week or two in case they can’t go the distance.

During this past weekend’s race at Daytona, Michael Annett was caught up in a wreck that sent him to the hospital with pain & bruising in his chest.  Further evaluation led to the diagnosis of a fractured and dislocated sternum, which was corrected with surgery Wednesday. Annett’s injury will keep him out of the car for an indefinite period of time while he heals.  RPM is hopeful that Annett will return to the car in 6-8 weeks, although nothing is definite at this time. Continue reading →

No. 48 Team Celebrates Second Daytona 500 Triumph at Champion’s Breakfast

Fan4Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Track News

No. 48 Team Celebrates Second Daytona 500 Triumph at Champion’s Breakfast

The Daytona 500 Championship Team Photo - Daytona International Speedway
The Daytona 500 Championship Team
Photo – Daytona International Speedway

Following his second victory in the “Great American Race,” driver Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and owner Rick Hendrick inducted the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet into the Daytona International Speedway Ticket and Tours Building during Monday’s annual Champion’s Breakfast.

“The night was great,” Johnson said of the celebration. “We had a lot of fun in the infield. I think the security guys knew we were here and said, ‘Nice job celebrating, now you guys just need to slow down a little bit.’ ”

Johnson’s late night celebration might have gone well, but his immediate celebration after taking the checkered flag wasn’t as successful. His burn out in the tri-oval grass actually damaged the front end of the No. 48 car that is now on display in the indoor Gatorade Victory Lane at the “World Center of Racing.” Continue reading →

Wreck Reiterated that NASCAR Fans Are the Best in Sports

Jason NASCAR Nationwide Series
Fans at Daytona International Speedway for Daytona 500, Feb 24, 2013 Photo - Getty Images
Fans at Daytona International Speedway for Daytona 500, Feb 24, 2013
Photo – Getty Images

Heroic

Ordinary NASCAR fans enjoying the Nationwide Series race Saturday afternoon acted heroically when fellow race fans were injured following the last lap crash. No fan expected to be in danger when they entered the Speedway that day but, when disaster struck, fans helped fans to make sure everyone was alright.

In other sporting events, there is little to no evidence that fans have helped each other in the way that some racing fans did following the frightening last lap crash in the Nationwide race. This incident once again proved that NASCAR fans are the best fans in sports. Continue reading →

Jimmie Johnson Denies Wrecking On Purpose

NASCAR NASCAR Informer Sprint Cup Series
Jimmie Johnson sends grass flying as he celebrates his win. Photo - Chris O'Meara AP
Jimmie Johnson sends grass flying as he celebrates his win.
Photo – Chris O’Meara AP

Jimmie Johnson celebrated his second Daytona 500 win by spinning through the grass Sunday, just like many have done before him. But he tore up his front bumper in the process of celebrating. Some have questioned if Johnson wrecked the car on purpose?

In October of 2010, Chad Knaus and Jimmie Johnson received criticism after radio communication at Talladega. Caught on pre-race video inside the car, Knaus leaned into the window of Johnson’s car and told him to damage the back of the car by hitting something during or after the race to make sure the car passed inspection. Continue reading →