The Clash at Daytona is a sprint compared to the regular NASCAR races, so it was possible that we would have to wait until the Can Am duels before our first crash of the season. Then we saw the cars on track and knew that there was no way all 17 cars were making it through unscathed.
During the first 25 lap segment of the Clash, there were already a handful of saves as it became clear that the 2018 cars were going to be more difficult to handle. Then, early in the second and final segment it happened.
The 41 car of Kurt Busch made a run and got right up on the left rear of the number 1 of Jamie McMurray. They either just barely touched, or the air was disrupted enough to spin McMurray, sending him down to the apron, up into the wall, and back down for a ride through the grass.
Trouble! Contact from Kurt Busch sends Jamie McMurray into the wall and through the grass.#NASCARonFS1 https://t.co/VuKqCT13AN
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 11, 2018
Here's a replay of the McMurray/Kurt Busch contact. Caution is out. https://t.co/BRkozG4GAk
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 11, 2018
The crash only collected McMurray, who had to retire to the garage. But it was only a matter of time and, with a bigger field, that could have triggered a much bigger incident. The Daytona 500 in a week is going to be good!
Related: Alt_Driver Round-table: How should NASCAR handle its new in-car crash footage?