Fan’s crash fears eased

Fans feeling unsafe after the horrific crash at the Daytona International Speedway can change seats for Nascar’s biggest race next week.

Track president Joie Chitwood says workers successfully repaired a section of fence — 16.5m wide by 6.7m high — that was shredded on Saturday when Kyle Larson’s car went airborne on the final lap of a second-tier race and crashed through the barrier that separates cars from fans. Large pieces of debris, including a tire, sprayed into the upper and lower stands.

The crash injured more than 30 people, raising more questions about fan safety at race tracks.

Nascar President Mike Helton said that “most everybody” had been released from local hospitals, but there are a “few still being treated”.

Chitwood says if any fans are uncomfortable with their up-close seating for Sunday’s Daytona 500, officials will try to move them.

“If fans are unhappy with their seating location or if they have any incidents, we would relocate them,” Chitwood said yesterday.

The 12-car crash began as the leaders approached the checkered flag. Race leader Regan Smith attempted to block rival Brad Keselowski, triggering the pileup.

Larson’s car clipped the back of the pile-up and caught fire, his burning engine wedging through a gaping hole in the fence.

After climbing from his car, Larson, 20, stood in shock a few feet from his car as fans in the stands waved frantically for help.