The Daytona 500 ended in a horrifying crash on the last lap of the 500-mile race. Race driver Ryan Newman was involved in a multi-car pile up at the 62nd Annual Daytona race and ESPN reports that his injuries while serious are not life-threatening.
Newman was leading the last lap when he saw some contact from behind Ryan Blaney’s car. That resulted in a crash into the wall with another car smashing into the side, sending Newman’s No. 6 vehicle into a mid-air barrel roll before hitting the ground upside-down on the side of the track.
Absolutely brutal crash at the end of the #DAYTONA500
Praying that Ryan Newman is okaypic.twitter.com/2RTVvZWOg8
— Sports ReUp (@SportsReUp) February 18, 2020
It took the track personnel and emergency staff several heart wrenching moments to cut Newman out of the smoking vehicle.
A stretcher is next to Newman’s car. Crews are using black screens to keep fans from seeing. And media has just been told to leave the pits. #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/OFFIpTWcoz
— Joe Kepner (@JKepnerWFTV) February 18, 2020
Hope he is ok, bout time they are able to get him out! #DAYTONA500 pic.twitter.com/M0Gaxwkjtm
— Brian Upperman (@UppyArt) February 18, 2020
NASCAR later released a statement, saying: “Ryan Newman is being treated at Halifax Medical Center. He is in serious condition, but doctors have indicated his injuries are not life threatening. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers and ask that you respect the privacy of Ryan and his family during this time.”
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 18, 2020
The 42-year-old racer is in his 19th season in the NASCAR Cup series and last won the Daytona 500 in 2008.
The race finish celebrations also recieved fierce criticism from viewers who continued the confetti showers and cheering despite not knowing the outcome of Newman’s condition at the time.
Joe Gibbs apologizes in the media center for his team celebrating Denny Hamlin winning the race. Gibbs says he was focused on his car and they didn’t know the severity of the accident with Ryan Newman until told in victory lane | #Daytona500
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) February 18, 2020
There have been no fatalities at the track since Dale Earnhardt’s death following a crash on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
