Kyle Larson and Michael Waltrip will have to switch to backup cars for Sunday’s Daytona 500 after being involved in an accident in the second of two practices Wednesday at Daytona International Speedway.
Chain reaction crash sends Kyle Larson, Michael Waltrip to backup cars for Daytona 500
The incident occurred in Wednesday’s second practice session and involved a total of six cars.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The incident began when Ty Dillon’s Chevrolet leaked oil in Turn 2, causing Reed Sorenson and a trailing Ryan Newman to decelerate. Waltrip, who was directly behind Newman, was unable to slow and spun Newman out.
In the aftermath, Newman and Waltrip struck the outside retaining wall while Larson was run into from behind by Chris Buescher. David Gilliland also suffered minor damage.
“I could see (Ty Dillon) smoking,” Larson said. “Obviously, oil was getting put down. I was just following the guys in front of me. ... The front guy slowed down and then the rest of us couldn’t get slowed down in time. Just kind of a chain reaction. I got shoved into the wall, no fault of the guy behind me, but it’s unfortunate.”
Newman compared the oiled-down track to ice. He thought his team could repair the No. 31 car, calling the damage “fixable.”
With the switch to backup cars, Larson and Waltrip will have to forfeit their starting positions in their respective qualifying races Thursday night. The twin races determine the starting lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500, which Larson and Waltrip are assured of making regardless of their finishes Thursday.
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