Casual race "fans" will be more than pleased to see that a crash happened so early in the rain-delayed Daytona 500. Serious race fans will be furious that some of the most notable drivers in the field were knocked out so fast. In the first Monday night Daytona 500 ever, five-time champion Jimmie Johnson, NASCAR newcomer Danica Patrick, defending Daytona champ Trevor Bayne, Kurt Busch, and David Ragan collected in a wreck on just the second lap.
The crash was instigated when Elliott Sadler tapped Johnson's rear bumper, sending him sideways into the wall before cutting back onto the track. Bayne and Patrick were able to escape with the least amount of damage and have actually returned to the race. As of this writing at 8:30 p.m. ET with 78 laps complete, Bayne is behind 37 laps, and Patrick is in the final spot of active cars, back 62 laps. Video below.
[via From The Marbles]
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