Nine years ago at the Daytona International Speedway, one of the most terrifying crashes in NASCAR history occurred, sending shockwaves through the racing community. The incident, which happened during the final lap of the 2015 Coke Zero 400, involved Austin Dillon’s car being launched into the air and slamming into the catchfence, a moment that many, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., witnessed in real-time with growing horror.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had just won the race, was on his radio expressing immediate concern for Dillon as he saw the crash unfold in his rearview mirror. Despite his initial relief that Dillon seemed okay, the repeated replays and the intense reactions from those at the track made the situation even more frightening. The incident felt like it came dangerously close to a catastrophic failure of the safety barriers, a fear that was compounded by the aftermath and reflections on how close the sport came to tragedy.

Comparisons have been made to other severe crashes, including Ryan Newman’s crash, which left many, including fans and fellow drivers, fearing the worst. These moments have underscored the dangers inherent in the sport, despite the many safety improvements made over the years. The 2015 Daytona crash remains a stark reminder of the risks drivers take every time they get behind the wheel.