Blaine Perkins’ car flipped six times in a wild crash during Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega.
With one lap to go in Stage 2, Perkins, running 33rd, got clipped by the sliding car of Dexter Stacey and careened head-on into the backstretch wall. His Chevy then began to flip when Jade Buford’s car hit it. Perkins thankfully was able to get out of his car and walk to a waiting ambulance. Perkins was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation along with Stacey “out of an abundance of caution” according to NASCAR.
Stacey told the TV broadcast before being taken to the hospital that he didn’t feel contact, but felt he simply got loose.
A wheel also came off Perkins’ car during the crash; it was hit by Kaz Grala as he slowed down.
The 300-mile race was immediately red flagged after the crash for 11 minutes 55 seconds. Perkins, 23, was making the 21st Xfinity Series start of his career and has one top-10 finish.
Early Sunday the Perkins family released an update:
“Blaine is alert, in good spirits, and continues to be observed at a local hospital. We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and prayers. We will continue to provide updates as they are available.
Monday night, Perkins was home and released a statement:
— Blaine Perkins (@BlainePerkins21) April 24, 2023
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.