A major crash just before the halfway point of tonight’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway has involved a dozen trucks.
The incident occurred at the end of the backstretch going into Turn 3. Ben Kennedy was slow up on the outside wall, but on the inside of the track, an accordion effect ensued between drivers. Contact sent James Buescher and John Wes Townley spinning, with those directly behind them unable to escape the crash.
The other nine drivers involved in the incident were: Johnny Sauter, Austin Theriault, Ryan Ellis, Timothy Peters, Chris Fontaine, Cameron Hayley, Daniel Hemric, Todd Peck, and Spencer Gallagher. However, several of the trucks involved have been able to continue.
Two that weren’t as fortunate were Kennedy and Peters, who are teammates at Red Horse Racing. Kennedy told Fox Sports that a left rear tire failure was the cause for him being up near the fence just before the Big One.
“It was either wreck left and go into the pack or wreck right and go into the wall, so I just decided to wall it. I have no idea what happened with the wreck. I’d hate it if it was me.”
As for Peters, the crash ended a rough Friday that also had him wreck in afternoon qualifying.
“Just goes to show you that it’s out of your control,” Peters told Fox.
The subsequent caution period was also notable for race leader Ty Dillon having to pit for fuel while pit lane was closed. Up to this, Dillon had been the dominant driver in this race with 37 laps led in the first half.
