In a race that featured a record-breaking amount of chaos, literally, the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway dove even further into insanity, with a gnarly last-lap accident that started at the front of the pack, involving second-year driver Taylor Gray.
The accident started at the beginning of the backstretch when Rajah Caruth attempted to merge into the outside lane, behind third-place running Jack Wood. However, the Spire Motorsports driver misjudged the move, clipping the No. 91 in the left rear.
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 17, 2024
Wood then came down the racetrack and clipped the quarter panel of Taylor Gray, who had his No. 17 JBL Toyota Tundra TRD Pro sent hard into the outside wall. Unfortunately, with the rather large pack of trucks coming at him, that was the least terrifying part of the incident.
Daniel Dye, driving the No. 43 for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, was running at full speed when Gray came shooting up the track, causing the Deland, Florida native to slam into the passenger-side door of the TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra, sending him airborne and over the top of the pack.
While rotating in the air, the 18-year-old driver made contact with the roof of his older brother, Tanner Gray, as well as a couple of other trucks in the pack, which upon reviewing video footage appear to be Christian Eckes and Bayley Currey. Luckily, the No. 17 landed back on its wheels, and Gray was able to climb out under his own power.
Another look at the big wreck on the final lap of the Truck Series race at Daytona. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/bnTc3Evvy3
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 17, 2024
Others involved in the incident include NASCAR Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie, Matt Crafton, Grant Enfinger, Bayley Currey, Jason White, Codie Rohrbaugh, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, Tanner Gray, Stewart Friesen and several others.
Since the accident occurred, both Daniel Dye and Taylor Gray have been released from the infield care center under their own power.
Nick Sanchez, driving the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet for REV Racing, scored his first career victory and the first for the organization in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
