The crash at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday during the Nationwide Series race tore up Kyle Larson's car, but that will not stop the driver from competing in races in the future, as he is preparing for the next event in Phoenix.
According to the Associated Press, Larson will not think twice about getting back in his car on Saturday, despite the fact that 28 fans were injured after the crash at Daytona. Larson's car went airborne on Saturday and sent debris as well as a tire into the grandstand, sending 14 spectators to the hospital.
The 20-year-old NASCAR rookie was not shaken by the crash and said he would be prepared for next Saturday's event in Phoenix.
"I've been in some really bad wrecks, I'm sure I'll have more throughout my career," Larson told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday. "I know crashing is part of the risk we take being race car drivers. It happens. I'm not emotionally (upset), that wreck doesn't make me nervous."
Larson is a development driver Chip Ganassi Racing and has received praise over the year from Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Kasey Kahne. Larson is planning to race in Phoenix this weekend as well as a USAC race Friday night at Canyon Speedway Park.
Larson decided not to race Saturday night in Ocala, Fla. After the wreck, saying "I wanted to be respectful to the fans who were still in the hospital. I didn't think it would be right to go have fun while they were hurting," he said.
The wreck on Saturday was bad for Larson, but he has been in worse crashes, including when he was in an accident at Eldora Speedway last September when his car flipped after hitting a wall and was then smashed by another car.
"Off the top of my head, that wreck at Eldora hurt more and was just as scary. I almost had a car come in my cockpit," Larson said.
The crash on Saturday sent his car airborne and tore the engine clear out of the front part of the car after it hit the catch fencing on the side of the track. NASCAR is currently investigating the crash, while some fans have already retained counsel as they prepare a lawsuit.
"It happened so fast, I kind of thought I'd gone upside down so I was not expecting to see half my car gone," Larson said. "I wasn't expecting to see my engine caught up in the fence. So I was definitely in some shock when I got out of the car and saw it torn apart. I've never had an accident like that where I'd got caught up in the fence, so that was a little different. Kind of a freak deal."
