This is the terrifying moment a huge NASCAR crash took place as drivers crossed the finish line in yesterday's race in Daytona - with one vehicle flipping across the track before being ripped apart after hitting the catchfence.
While there were fears that driver Austin Dillon had been seriously injured in the spectacular wreck in the closing moments of the Coke Zero 400 race, he managed to climb out of the mangled remains of his car and wave at the crowd.
He was then taken to an ambulance where miraculously it was revealed he had only suffered a bruised arm and tailbone despite the force of the impact, which left the fence in tatters.
Three people in the crowd also had to be treated for minor injuries after debris cleared the safety barriers, though luckily there were no serious injuries.
The accident began in the final moments of the event, which had been delayed by three and a half hours due to rain, with a second round of qualifying on Saturday also cancelled due to the weather.
As the racers jockeyed for position behind leader Dale Earnhardt Jr, Kevin Harvick made slight contact with Denny Hamlin on the inside of the track, causing his car to spin.
His bonnet then hit the side of Dillon's car as he traveled past at almost 200mph, raking down the left side, and sending him spiraling into the air in the fourth crash of the evening.
Sparks flew along the tarmac as other vehicles were also dragged into the wreck, but Dillon soared above all of them, clearing the field before slamming - wheels first - into the catchnet, which was torn to shreds by the force of the impact.
As debris flew across the track and into the stands, even the car's engine was ripped free, landing on the grass in the centre of the venue.
The mangled wreck of Dillon's number three vehicle then landed back on the circuit, before being hit a second time by Brad Keslelowski as he tried in vain to slow his car before reaching the crash.
The last-gasp incident sparked frantic chatter on the team's radio, as team chief Greg Ives rushed crew on to the track to check if Dillon was hurt, warning them not to pull him free, presumably because of the risk of spinal injuries.
Earnhardt watched the spectacular accident happen in his rear-view mirror shortly after crossing the finish line in first place, as the event finished under a green-and-white checkered flag.
(dailymail.co.uk)
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