On the side of caution

AVONDALE, Ariz. — In the aftermath of Juan Pablo Montoya’s collision with a jet dryer during Monday night’s Daytona 500, NASCAR told drivers Sunday at Phoenix that, from now on, an extra caution car with lights flashing will trail jet dryers to remind drivers to slow down when approaching track service vehicles.

Under caution, Montoya spun entering Turn 3 at Daytona when a truck arm (rear suspension part) broke on his No. 42 Chevrolet. The dryer, which holds approximately 200 gallons of jet fuel, exploded and ignited Montoya’s car. Both drivers escaped without harm.

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 27:  A jet dryer bursts into flames after being hit by Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, under caution during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 27, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 27: A jet dryer bursts into flames after being hit by Juan Pablo Montoya, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, under caution during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 27, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.

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