Twenty-eight spectators were injured in a dramatic crash Saturday just seconds before the end of a NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway in Florida, track officials said, DPA reported.
Fourteen of the injured were transported to hospital and 14 were treated at a clinic at the track, said Joie Chitwood III, president of Daytona, one of the premier tracks for NASCAR competitions in the US.
At a news conference Chitwood referred questions about the extent of the injuries to hospital personnel. Some of the injured had to be removed on stretchers.
The injuries were caused by debris, including at least one tire, that flew into the grandstands over the fence around the track. One of the 12 cars directly involved in the crash badly damaged the track's outer wall and fence.
NASCAR said rookie Kyle Larson's car went airborne and was demolished when it struck the fence and flipped. Only one driver, Michael Annett, was injured. He taken to hospital and would be kept for observation, NASCAR said.
The massive crash occurred near the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series Drive4COPD 300 race. The winner was Tony Stewart who navigated through the chaotic sea of spinning and burning cars to take the checkered flag.
Saturday's race was a warmup to Sunday's main event, the Daytona 500, the most prestigious race on NASCAR's schedule. For the first time in the race's history, a woman driver, Danica Patrick, will start in the pole position.
Track officials said they expected the necessary repairs would be made to the wall and fence by the scheduled start of the race at 1 pm