Danica Patrick crashes during practice at Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 08: Crew members inspect the the #10 GoDaddy Chevrolet, driven by Danica Patrick, after an on-track incident during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 8, 2014 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
WATKINS GLEN, NY - AUGUST 08:  Crew members inspect the the #10 GoDaddy Chevrolet, driven by Danica Patrick, after an on-track incident during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 8, 2014 in Watkins Glen, New York.  (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
WATKINS GLEN, NY – AUGUST 08: Crew members inspect the the #10 GoDaddy Chevrolet, driven by Danica Patrick, after an on-track incident during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International on August 8, 2014 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Danica Patrick will start from the rear of the field for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Cheez-it 355 at Watkins Glen Sunday. Patrick had already blown an engine in the first practice Friday and under NASCAR’s rules an engine change means that no matter where she qualifies Saturday she will start from the rear.

That turned out to be the least of her worries however. During the closing minutes of the final 90 minute practice session Patrick’s Chevy slid into the tire wall near the chicane.

“I blew a tire,” a frustrated Patrick said.  “I have no idea.  I think it was only two laps, the second lap on tires.  So apparently the No. 20 was radioing in saying there was some smoke. I never saw any, but he said he saw it and said ‘you guys should pit.’ Just in the carousel there is so much load on the left-front there that I guess that was the go spot for it.  It has been a record horrible day I’m pretty sure.”

Crewmembers later found that the left front shock had failed and popped the tire. MORE>>>

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.