Crazy wrecks are a given at Talladega Superspeedway – NASCAR’s longest track at 2.66 miles – but they’re usually reserved for during the actual race and not practice.
Jamie McMurray found himself an exception to that general rule Friday during practice before Sunday’s GEICO 500. According to the No. 1 Chevrolet driver, he blew a left rear tire, which caused him to lose control in traffic. The car flipped multiple times as it shot toward the inside fence of the track.
Amazingly, McMurray was able to climb out of the car by himself, and he was evaluated and released by the in-field medical care center – standard practice for any driver who is forced off the track because of contact.
Just minutes before the wreck, McMurray’s car nearly hit 204 miles per hour, USA TODAY Sports reported. McMurray said afterward, according to NBC Sports’ Dustin Long:
“When I realized I was going to flip, I actually shut my eyes — I don’t really want to see what is going to happen — and then it seemed like forever.”
However, his No. 1 car was torn to shreds, so he’ll compete in Sunday’s race in his back-up.
Fellow drivers Ryan Newman and Ty Dillon were also involved in the wreck.
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