Danica Patrick, ended her first Duel with a bang. Patrick crashed out of her first NASCAR Sprint Cup race Thursday.
Her No.10 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet took the violent turn for the worst in the final lap of the first Gatorade Duel qualifying race.
It all started when Jamie McMurray nudged Aric Almirola, who then knocked Patrick. She was sent spinning before violently slamming into a wall.
Patrick, who was about 10th before the crash, survived the wreck thanks to all the new safety innovations but will be paying again Sunday. The crash cost her starting positions for Sunday’s Daytona 500.
Patrick finished 16th in the race and according to USA Today, because she was forced into a backup car, she’ll have to make her points-race Cup debut from the back of the field at Daytona International Speedway.
The defending Sprint Cup champ Tony Stewart on the other hand, had a better race Thursday, as he crossed the finish line first.
His win put him in third position at Sunday’s Daytona 500, according to Leader Post, behind Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle, who claimed their positions at last Sunday’s qualifying.
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