The NASCAR world held its breath on Saturday as a gnarly crash sent one driver on a barrel-roll wreck and another into the inside wall.
During the Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR drivers Blaine Perkins and Dexter Stacey landed in scary situations as they wrecked their vehicles while going into a turn on the track.
Stacey’s car seemed to veer away from the race first in the turn and smacked into Talladega’s inside wall. However, Stacey said after the race that he was fine and that the hit wasn’t as bad as it looked.
It’d be Perkins who would get the brunt of the accident. He got hit on the passenger’s side as he was losing control of his car on the turn. The vehicle started to flip in the air after taking contact before landing on the hood and barrel rolling six times on the track’s backstretch.
Once Perkins’ car finally came to a stop, parts and pieces had flown off and the vehicle looked like a shell of its former self. You could even see a stray tire hopping away from the wreckage.
Thankfully, the AMR Safety Team quickly got to Perkins and helped him walk off the track after he was able to safely exit the damaged vehicle.
The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi reported that Perkins had been transported from Talladega to a local hospital for further evaluation.
A wild crash for Blaine Perkins. A huge hit for Dexter Stacey. Everyone is okay. Wow. https://t.co/Zf7MwyVQaz pic.twitter.com/qZ6K4hh4qo
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 22, 2023
The wreck was so severe that the red flags were waived at the end of Stage 2, and all drivers had to exit their vehicles.
Here's a look at the incident that brought out the red flag at the end of Stage 2.
All drivers climbed from their vehicle following the crash.
Blaine Perkins, the driver of the No. 02, has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. pic.twitter.com/2tlLJ25Bjf
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 22, 2023
While Perkins was thankfully OK and was getting additional medical attention, his Ollie’s Bargain Outlet-sponsored car looked absolutely demolished as it was being hauled off the track.
#NASCAR … Damage to Blaine Perkins’ car after rolling over six times. pic.twitter.com/qcJPTjn67U
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) April 22, 2023
There isn’t much left of Blaine Perkins' car. pic.twitter.com/dklhr5wxCa
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) April 22, 2023
The cars involved in the Blaine Perkins wreck in the Talladega garage. #HotPass pic.twitter.com/7WqqJvFfho
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 22, 2023
#NASCAR … Rear of Blaine Perkins’ car after that crash pic.twitter.com/HW6yujNfQC
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) April 22, 2023