NASCAR Drive4COPD 300

7 posts

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 →

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 →

Smoke Wins As Last Lap Disaster Strikes

Jason NASCAR Nationwide Series
Tony Stewart, driver of the #33 Oreo/Ritz Chevrolet, poses in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb 22, 2013 Photo - Jerry Markland/Getty Images
Tony Stewart, driver of the #33 Oreo/Ritz Chevrolet, poses in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb 22, 2013
Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images

In the most eventful season opener in NASCAR Nationwide Series history, Tony Stewart won the race while the rest of the field wrecked including Kyle Larson who flew into the catch fence and destroyed his car. Among all that carnage, 28 fans in total were injured due to Larson’s car flying into the catch fence and scattering debris everywhere. The race was going normally until this last lap incident occurred and this race will forever be remembered as one of the scariest in NASCAR history.

As all of our thoughts and prayers are with the injured race fans along with their families and friends, I will try to recap the Drive4COPD 300 as best as I can.

With the two-car tandem in full-play for the Nationwide Series, many lead changes occurred throughout the race. The first one was on lap four when Kyle Busch got around pole-sitter Trevor Bayne. Not long after that, Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick exchanged the lead a few more times. The first caution of the day came out when Scott Lagasse Jr. got hit from behind by Bayne and Lagasse spun through the grass on the turn one end of the tri-oval. Continue reading →