Blaine Perkins’ car flipped six times in a severe crash during Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega.
Perkins was clipped by Dexter Stacy’s sliding car and went head-on into the backstretch wall. His car then overturned when it collided with Jade Buford’s car. Perkins managed to get out of his car and walk to a waiting ambulance before he was taken to a local hospital. His family said Sunday afternoon that he was “alert and in good spirits”.
Here’s how the crash happened.
It was not clear to viewers watching the race live what caused the damage to Perkins’ car. Fox cameras caught Stacey’s car as it crashed into the infield wall and briefly showed Perkins’ mangled car before it cut straight into a commercial with no explanation as to what happened. Viewers had to sit through a break of the ad before Fox showed Perkins getting out of his car and then showing what happened.
A wheel also came off Perkins’ car during the accident and was hit by Caz Gralla while he was slowing down.
The race was red flagged after the accident. The wreck occurred at the end of the second stage of the 300-mile race and another incredibly violent crash occurred with just a handful of laps to go. Daniel Hemrick’s car ended up on the roof after he tried to throw a block to keep the lead. Hemric spun off Sheldon Creed’s bumper and began a massive crash.
Hemrick was examined and released from the care center after he got out of his car. NASCAR’s safety team members had to overturn Hemric’s car before he could safely exit the car. Jeb Burton ended up winning the race as another crash occurred before the checkered flag.