Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wrecked on the opening lap of NASCAR’s first race back

Well, that was fast.

Well, that was quick. Not even one lap into the first NASCAR race following a 10-week hiatus because of the coronavirus outbreak, a car hit the wall at Darlington Raceway and the caution flag came out.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. crashed on the very first lap of The Real Heroes 400, the Cup Series’ first race since March 8. Darlington’s 1.366-mile track is challenging, abrasive and nicknamed “Too Tough To Tame,” and it seemed likely that rusty drivers might need a minute to get acclimated to their cars — especially with no practice or qualifying.

But Stenhouse and his No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet team — which started 22nd — traveled all the way down to the South Carolina track from the Charlotte area to run not even a full lap before having to call it a day.

On the inside of the track, it looked like Stenhouse was running nearly four-wide coming out of Turn 2 when he and another car made contact, which sent the No. 47 car head-first into the inside wall and SAFER barrier. It was a lot of damage to that car, including flames flying out the back, and it brought out the caution flag on Lap 1.

And not long after, the Associated Press‘ Jenna Fryer, one of four reporters at the track, tweeted a photo of Stenhouse’s car headed to the garage. And that was it. His and the team’s day was done before they even completed a single lap.

Following the crash, Stenhouse was evaluated and released from the infield care center, FOX reported during the broadcast.

NASCAR’s next race is Wednesday also at Darlington, followed by the Coca-Cola 600 next Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

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