/ CBS/AP. He said it was like being on a roller coaster. In June 2012 he opened a Honda Power Sports dealership in West Melbourne, Florida, where he currently resides.[11]. Bodine skirted serious injuries and walked away with some minor fractures, however, nine fans were slightly injured by debris coming into the stands. More than 23 years after his infamous Daytona wreck, NASCAR icon Geoff Bodine opens up about the horrific experience. In 1978, Bodine entered 84 modified races. He was awake and alert and undergoing tests Friday night. However, the next four races produced finishes outside the top-10 including a 35th-place showing at Darlington. The race was stopped for 2 hours and 23 minutes as crews repaired the 9-foot high fence, which stands atop a 4-foot concrete wall. No spectator was seriously injured in that incident. Later at the hospital, acclaimed sports car racer Justin Wilson fell into a coma and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on August 25, 2015. NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace went airborne in his Miller Genuine Draft Pontiac during the Daytona 500 International Race of Champions, February 14,1993. While the American team has moved to a different type of sled, the Bo-Dyn sled is still being used throughout the world. Dale reached over grabbed my shoulder and said, Give him a shot (to bump into Bill Jr.) I thought, no way. We just got chewed out pretty good by Bill Jr., and I wasnt about to do that. I enjoyed some big wins like the Daytona 500, but that day will always be the best day for me.. Nine adult spectators and driver Geoffrey Bodine were injured when Bodine's NASCAR Craftsman Truck tumbled into the fence, shedding debris and spewing flames and hot liquids into the crowd during Friday's inaugural truck race at Daytona International Speedway. How do you feel that little thing slide off your face when you just got through crashing at 180 miles an hour?, Geoff Bodine goes on to reveal that when he reached up to put the mask back on his face, the TV camera was on him. What remained of a shredded safety fence near the finish line stopped the nearly 2-ton vehicle just 10 feet short of front-row spectators. The practices for those races can prove extremely dangerous as well. Nine adult spectators and driver Geoffrey Bodine were injured when Bodine's NASCAR Craftsman Truck tumbled into the fence, shedding debris and spewing flames and hot liquids into the crowd. 2023 Cox Media Group. Three spectators were treated and released from Halifax. On lap 89, his tire blew up spectacularly and pitched his car into a 360 spin. Retired racer describes seeing Ryan Newman crash Geoff Bodine, who was in a crash during the Daytona 250 20 years ago, recalls what it was like seeing Ryan Newman crash. The most notorious accident in NASCAR history is without question the one that claimed the life of renowned stock car driver Dale Earnhardt Sr., February 18, 2001. Capture by ChasKrall A day earlier, in the twin qualifying races for Sunday's Daytona 500, there was one lead change. Bodine is also known for surviving one of the most horrific crashes of all time, in the inaugural 250-mile NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. During the crash when I was knocked out, my father came to me, who was sick when he died. Geoff Bodine with Dr Jerry Punch after 2000 truck crash So that, of course, was a good thing., Following the crash, Geoff Bodine missed 10 races. In 2010, Geoff returned to the Camping World Truck Series for the first time since 2004 with Team Gill Racing at Atlanta. Why Kyle Larson deserves his second chance in a cancel culture, Newey agrees contract extension with Red Bull F1 team, Newey agrees contract extension with Red Bull F1 team Five spectators (three women and two men) were taken to Halifax and two were kept overnight. I should be dead but the Lord protected me that day, Bodine said. All of the drivers walked away relatively unscathed. Any driver who has competed in NASCAR modifieds understands it takes a hard-nosed, aggressive driver to be successful in those cars. Bodine skirted serious injuries and walked away with some minor fractures, however, nine fans were slightly injured by debris coming into the stands. Geoff Bodine Indy Crash - YouTube However, rumors began circulating in the days following the incident that Bodine had died from his injuries. Roll cage is broken in areas, hands flying outside what is left of the truck. The Dale Jr. Download: Geoff Bodine: Rivals and Revelations - Apple Wilson, one of the drivers involved in the wreck, thought it was the worst he'd ever seen. I remember thinking, Where am I? On February 18, 2001, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart was launched into a series of rolls, triggering a 19-car accident on lap 173 of the Winston Cup Daytona 500. Bodines injuries were severe, and he was taken to the Halifax Medical Center, where he remained in the intensive care unit for several days. Free shipping for many products! He was 37. Driver Geoffrey Bodine flipped his racing truck, sending debris and flames into the grandstands. Geoff attempted to qualify the No. The back fracture will not require surgery.``I've never had a wreck like that in my life,' Bodine told Emmett Byrd, his Winston Cup team's public relations person. Bodine scored his first career Cup win for himself and Hendrick. Album of pics from Geoff Bodine's 2000 Daytona crash. Highly - Reddit Bubba Wallace Just Became The Second Black Driver Ever To Win A NASCAR Cup Series Race, 10 Fast Facts About NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson. How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Officers say the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. He struggled physically with vision and pain, and emotionally with problems that he brings to the discussion at the table. "If we hadn't had that big wreck, this would have been one of the most phenomenal races anybody had ever seen," Wallace said. Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season, How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival, How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival Shes crying, [she] thought I was dead. Im still as busy as ever and I hate to use the term retire because Im still around racing, I just dont drive anymore in NASCAR, Bodine added. The engine was torn away from the truck body and landed on the grass next to the front straightaway. Weve all seen it and we all love it. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Nine fans were also injured as the crash sent debris and a ball of flames into the grandstands. Geoffrey Bodine's truck hit the wall at 190 mph and nearly . The Chinese team has already purchased 10 sleds from us to practice and prepare for the Winter Olympics in Seoul, South Korea next year andfour years laterin China, he added. Most who witnessed the wreck, thought there was no way he could have survived, but amazingly he did. Where are they now? - Geoff Bodine - Motorsport The incident highlighted the power of social media in spreading false information. During a bit of maneuvering in the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300, Larson sent large chunks of his #32 Clorox Chevrolet -- including a tire -- flying into the stands, injuring 30 fans and illustrating what can happen when a car going nearly 200 mph is suddenly launched toward the spectator areas. However, when both drivers joined the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, their relationship changed, and they grew distant from each other. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Its not amazing -- God blessed me, saved me, so Im very fortunate to be here. Theyre the ones that take the brunt of the force in an accident.. Though his car was severely damaged, Newman appeared for the most part unfazed by the crash, focusing on the future in his statements to media. Its amazing Im still here. Wallace's car was severely damaged, but he amazingly walked away from the crash. These Are The Worst Crashes In NASCAR History - HotCars Martin Truex Jr.'s car exploded into flames. In October 2012, Bodine announced through TheRacingExperts.Com that he was retiring from NASCAR after 27 seasons. 15 Ford F-150 for Billy Ballew. More information about advertising and tracking in our Data protection notice, the List of our partners and in Data protection information center. ), (key) (Bold Pole position. Ironically, after Indianapolis 500 champion Dan Wheldon was killed in an airborne crash in 2011, Wilson became one of three drivers to serve as a liaison between competitors and IndyCar. He is the oldest of the three Bodine brothers (with Brett Bodine and Todd Bodine), and sister Denise. Connor Sturgeon Girlfriend Was His High School Sweetheart. The following day, while being passed by Bodine in the 1988 Coca-Cola 600, Earnhardt wrecked Bodine's car, leading NASCAR to assess a five-lap penalty on Earnhardt. He has six Busch Grand National wins to his credit. FIERY WRECK INJURIES FANS\ DRIVER GEOFFREY BODINE SUFFERS MID-BACK FRACTURE, CONCUSSION. Then, the #5 car proceeded to bury itself nose-first into the barrier. RELATED: 15 Times Things Got Heated Between NASCAR Drivers While competing the inaugural Daytona 250 Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway, on February 18, 2000, Bodine was involved in a vicious, fiery accident on the 57th lap of the race while driving the No. It came as no surprise that Bodine maintained that same aggressive-style when he graduated to the Cup series. ``The good news is that the systems did their jobs,' said Graham, who added that the trucks will return to Daytona to race next year. He was sent to Halifax Hospital and was in intensive care. [14] Every January from 2006 to 2010 at the Lake Placid, New York track, a charity run is held with the US bobsled team and NASCAR drivers to raise money for the sled project. 35 and 36 teams, with sponsorship from Luke & Associates. UNCG will suffer from state's new funding formula, say retired faculty members, Rewards total $30,000 for information on shooting of 24-year-old found dead in Greensboro apartment, Report details final minutes for plane that crashed in Guilford County, Can this relationship be salvaged? The severity of the incident led to false rumors that Bodine had passed away. Pastrana, White, Cole Whitt, Jeffrey Earnhardt, Jamie Dick and Robert Richardson Jr. were all involved and, luckily, all walked away from the crash. Update on Geoffrey Bodine Accident - Motorsport Hes in there tight, so lets pray that hes going to be OK.. As a result, Busch had to undergo multiple surgeries and miss the first 11 Sprint Cup points races of the season. Bodine is known for surviving one of the most horrific crashes of all time, in the inaugural 250-mile NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway. He managed to get behind the wheel again and raced for another 12 years before retiring. Nine fans and two drivers were hurt. Bodine and team owner Rick Hendrick claimed the wreck was unintentional, but NASCAR disagreed, fining Bodine another $15,000 and extending his probation to the end of 1987. He finished his NASCAR career with having raced in 27 seasons. Bodine lives in West Melbourne, Florida. The 1996 race at Watkins Glen signified his final race victory in the Cup Series arena. Here, Busch Series drivers from left, Johnny Sauter (2), on top of Randy LaJoie, Greg Biffle (60), Scott Riggs (10) and Joe Nemechek (87) crash on the track. The last time NASCAR fans watched a car careen into the catch fence, sending dangerous debris into the stands, was when Kyle Larson crashed at the Daytona International Speedway on February 23, 2013. Visit motorsport.com as usual with advertising and tracking. That accident changed my life forever and the fact that I survived made it the greatest day I ever had at a race track, he added. He also revealed that watching Ryan Newmans crash in 2020 brought back some memories. A chain reaction caused the crash after three cars collided in the tri-oval portion of the race track. BODINE COMES ALL THE WAY BACK FROM HORRIFIC CRASH - Daily Press They save up money all year long to go to some events that last for days and you dont see that in other stick and ball sport.