Video: Tony Stewart wins the Gatorade Duel + Danica Patrick goes for a wild ride

DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. - On the final lap of the first Gatorade Duel, Danica Patrick was sent hard into the backstretch inside retaining wall. The accident occurred when Aric Almirola ducked left into Patrick’s door panel. The crash looked so violent that despite occurring behind the pack, NASCAR immediately tossed the caution flag to tend to Patrick’s well-being.

Patrick was unharmed and grateful for NASCAR and Daytona maintaining the SAFER barriers around the Speedway.

“It happens very quickly,” Patrick said. “You get down to the end of a race and everyone is on each other’s door and it’s really close. It’s kind of what happens when you get down to the end of the races and we were a part of it.

“I felt like I was having a solid race. I worked my way up there a little bit; hung around the group for a while. We were just looking to finish to be honest; unfortunately that was not the case.”

Patrick is already locked-in to the Daytona 500, thanks to owner points from Tommy Baldwin Racing. She’ll start Sunday’s race in the back of the field in a backup car.

Both Jeff Gordon and Danica Patrick have walked away from horrific crashes this week, an enduring testament to the Car of Tomorrow. Here’s to hoping the 2013 car holds many of the same safety features.

Race-winner Tony Stewart had built a five car-length lead off the exit of turn 2 that appeared to give Dale Earnhardt Jr. a shot at bridging the gap and possibly winning the race. It’s almost certain that Earnhardt would have given Stewart a run for the victory if not for the caution freezing the field.

In previous scenarios where there was a crash behind the pack, NASCAR has allowed the leaders to race back to the line. Was the decision to throw the caution consistent with NASCAR policies or was the yellow out of character?

The first Duel’s final lap and Patrick’s accident can be seen below. Watch the video and share your thoughts in the comments section.