NASCAR driver Ryan Preece has been discharged from Halifax Health Medical Center after being involved in a fiery crash during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday.
Preece made contact with Stewart-Haas Racing teammate Chase Briscoe on a turn during the 156th lap of the race, sending Preece’s car flying in the air before rolling several times as Briscoe’s car slid into the infield grass. Preece was able to pull himself out of his car and was placed on a gurney and taken to the hospital after a brief discussion with medical staff.
No reports have surfaced indicating Briscoe sustained any injuries.
“Ryan Preece has remained overnight at Halifax Health Medical Center for continued observation,” Stewart-Haas wrote on social media on Sunday. “He is awake, alert, and mobile. He has been communicating with family and friends. He will be evaluated by medical personnel later this morning.”
After Preece’s medical evaluation, the team released another update.
“Earlier this morning, Ryan Preece was discharged from Halifax Health Medical Center,” the team wrote. “He is on his way home to North Carolina.”
The accident was the race’s second wreck after Ty Gibbs and Ryan Blaney collided to eliminate 16 competing drivers from the race, including A.J. Allmendinger, Austin Dillon, Austin Cindric, and Harrison Burton. The wreck also forced three overtime laps, which led to RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher coming away with a win over teammate Brad Keselowski.
Briscoe and Preece were listed as finishing 30th and 31st, respectively.
Buescher’s win also helped Bubba Wallace clinch the 16th and last playoff spot in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The NASCAR Cup Series kicks off its playoff races with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, at 5 p.m. CT on Sunday. Buescher, Keselowski, and Blaney are also in the field, while neither Preece nor Briscoe qualified for the 16-driver event.
