Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Kyle Larson, Michael Waltrip to backup cars after crash in practice

5102101302

during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Jeff Zelevansky

With just over 40 minutes left in the second practice session for Thursday’s Can-Am qualifying races, a five-car wreck involving Ryan Newman, Kyle Larson and Michael Waltrip occurred exiting Turn 2.

The accident started when Ty Dillon’s car began dropping oil on the track while running in front of Kurt Busch. A few car lengths behind Busch was Reed Sorenson’s car. Sorenson began to check up to avoid the oil.

Newman also slowed up, causing Waltrip to run into Newman’s car. The two cars spun and made contact with the outside wall. David Gilliland, Larson and David Gilliland also had to check up. Gilliland ran into Larson’s rear bumper, causing significant damage. Both Larson and Waltrip will go to back-up cars and start at the rear of their qualifying races.

“The oil cooler cracked right on the well, just a part malfunction,” Dillon told Fox Sports 1. “I hate that we tore up race cars.”

The teams that are able to repair the damage to their cars will keep their starting positions for Thursday night’s qualifying races. Newman would be starting seventh in his.

“Obviously, something happened with the 95,” Newman told Fox Sports 1. “I saw the oil and started to check up. It’s amazing how quick the oil sprays and spreads as it sprays out. It was like ice out there.”

Follow @DanielMcFadin