NASCAR driver Ryan Preece, who experienced a terrifying crash at Daytona International Speedway, has been discharged from the hospital and is on his way home. After his car rolled about a dozen times during the crash, Preece was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center for observation. Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed that Preece had received medical clearance to leave the hospital.
Preece's crash occurred during a race at Daytona International Speedway when his No. 41 Ford made contact with his teammate Chase Briscoe's car. The impact caused Preece's car to turn sharply left and roll uncontrollably as it transitioned from the track to the infield grass. Remarkably, Preece was able to climb out of the heavily damaged car with assistance before being placed on a gurney and taken to the infield care center.
The Next Gen car, which was introduced in 2022, played a crucial role in Preece's ability to walk away from the crash. The car's safety improvements have been lauded, especially in comparison to previous car models that resulted in severe injuries in similar incidents. NASCAR worked extensively to enhance driver safety, especially in rear-impact collisions, following incidents like Kurt Busch's concussion during a qualifying crash in 2022 and Alex Bowman's missed races due to a concussion.
Ryan Preece's accident evoked memories of Ryan Newman's dramatic crash during the 2020 Daytona 500. Both instances highlight the continuous efforts of NASCAR to enhance driver safety, driven by the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in a crash during the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
Preece's release from the hospital and determination to continue racing, despite the risks, underscore the resilience and toughness that define professional race car drivers.