NASCAR – Dave Blaney absent from the Daytona 500

Who says package race says contact. And at the speeds reached on the Florida oval of Daytona, where the famous Daytona 500 will be contested next Sunday, this sometimes causes big accidents (the Big One). Last night, several drivers including Joey Logano and Matt Kenseth among the headliners were involved in a major pileup. Paul Menard and Joey Logano went through the medical center for check-ups which revealed nothing. No injuries among spectators either. Remember that last year in Nationwide, a major accident, notably involving Kyle Larson, caused injuries to several spectators on the same Daytona oval. However, a big loser remains in the case, Dave Blaney who does not have a reserve car, and who will not be able to participate in the first round of the Sprint Cup.

The Budweiser Speedweeks continue today with the Duels which must determine the starting grid from the second row. Austin Dillon took pole position at the wheel of the No. 3 Chevrolet (which legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove before his death at Daytona in 2001). Martin Truex Jr will start second next Sunday.

Click on this link to see video of the crash.