DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) a' With the beginning of the Daytona 500 only hours away, NASCAR officials still possess some clearing up to complete amid developing concerns about fan security. The season opener should go off as in the pipeline Sunday significantly less than 24 hours after at least 33 individuals were injured each time a vehicle flew into the wall throughout a NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway, sending a tire and large pieces of debris sailing into the stands. "Just seeing the carnage on the racetrack, it had been really unbelievable," driver Justin Allgaier said. The final-lap accident Saturday marred the second-tier Nationwide Series battle on the eve of a scene known as the Super Bowl of motorsports. Late to the night, track workers were battling to fix an enormous portion of fence that divides fans from the high-speed track. Speedway President Joie Chitwood III has a news conference scheduled for Sunday morning to offer the latest update on repairs and any security changes that could be created before the "Great American Race." The 12-car crash began about 200 feet from the start-finish line as the checkered flag was approached by the front-runners. Chief Regan Smith attempted to stop Brad Keselowski for the win, causing a terrible pileup which could have already been much worse. Leading end of Larson's No. 32 car was sheared off, and his burning motor wedged through a gaping hole in the barrier. Parts and pieces of his car sprayed into the stands, including a tire that removed the top of the fence and landed midway up the spectator section closest to the course. The 20-year-old Larson stood in shock a couple of feet from his car as fans in the stands waved frantically for help. The area was briefly clouded by smoke from the burning engine, and emergency vehicles descended on the world. Ambulance sirens might be observed wailing behind the grandstands at the same time the race winner would usually be doing celebratory burnouts. "It was creepy. The incident happened," Rick Harpster of Orange Park said, when I looked to my right. "I looked over and I found a tire fly directly over the wall to the stands, but from then on I did not see anything else. That was the worst thing I've seen, seeing that tire travel into the stands. I knew it was going to be severe." Shannan Devine of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., was sitting about 250 feet from where in fact the car smashed in to the wall and can see plumes of smoke directly before her. "I did not know if there was a vehicle on top of people. Used to do maybe not know what to think," she said. "I am a psychological person and I immediately started initially to cry. It was very stressful. Positively terrifying. I love the pace of the game. But it is really dangerous." Chitwood said 14 supporters were treated on site and 14 others were taken to hospitals. Local authorities said 19 people were taken up to nearby hospitals, including two who were in crucial but stable condition. Because of possible injuries, competition winner Tony Stewart missed the original victory celebration. Stewart, who won for the 19th time at Daytona and seventh time within the last few eight season-opening Nationwide events, was in no mood to enjoy. "The thing is what's going on on the frontstretch right now," explained Stewart, a three-time NASCAR champ. "We have always known, and because racing started, this is a dangerous game. However it is hard. We assume that chance, but it is hard if the fans get caught up in it. "So as much even as we want to celebrate as much and right now as it is a big deal to us, I'm more focused on the individuals and the fans that come in the stands right now since that was... It could be seen by me all in my own mirror, and it did not look good from where I was at." There were at the least five stretchers carrying injured people from the stands, and a helicopter flew overhead. Their attention was turned by officials to the course and the debris after injured were treated. A forklift plucked Larson's motor out of the fence, and individuals carried the tire out of the stands. It was a severe finish to a battle that was stopped for almost 20 minutes five laps from the finish by a accident that sent Michael Annett to driver to a hospital. His Richard Petty Motorsports group said he'd be kept overnight with bruising to his chest. The battle resumed with three laps to go, and the final accident occurred with Smith trying to postpone Keselowski through the final turn. "It is Daytona. You wish to select the gain here," Smith said. "I do not understand how you are able to enjoy it any different, apart from admit second place, and I wasn't ready to do this today. Our job is to place them in place to win, and it was, and it didn't work out." While the cars started ruining all over Smith and Keselowski, Stewart slid through for the gain, but Larson plowed into Keselowski and his car was delivered flying into the fence. When Larson's car found a stop, it had been missing its whole front end. Larson, who made his Daytona debut this week, stood together with his practical his hips before finally making the mandatory trip to the treatment center. "I got a couple of big strikes there and found my motor was gone," Larson said. "Just wish everyone's all right." It seemed supporters were prearranged over the fence when Larson's car got airborne. But Chitwood said there was a stream, putting there could be no changes to the sitting prior to the Daytona 500. "We do not anticipate moving some of our fans," Chitwood said. "We had our safety protocols in position. Our safety managed a stream that separates the supporters from the fencing place. With the fencing being prepared today to our safety practices, we expect you'll go racing tomorrow with no changes." Keselowski watched a replay of the accident and said the Daytona 500 on it may cast a. "I think until we know the statuses of everybody concerned, it's hard to lock your self to the 500," Keselowski said. "Hopefully, we'll know soon and hopefully everyone's OK. And if that's the case, we'll looking emphasizing Sunday." And AP Activities Authors Jenna Fryer, Dan Gelston and Jerome Minerva in Daytona Beach and Associated Press author Jennifer Kay in Ohio contributed for this survey.
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