A manhole cover slammed into the front of Corey Day’s Chevrolet on the opening lap of Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly race, forcing the session into a red flag jam.
Day, who had qualified at the back after a crash the day before, was easing into the race when the metal cover struck the nose, punching a large hole and lodging itself inside the body. Crew men removed the cover and carried the car into the pits for repair.
Race Disruption
Track officials shored the cover onto the track and began grinding and welding patches, but the effort stalled. After roughly twenty minutes of caution—six laps in total—the race was finally halted under a full red flag.
Post‑Race Adjustments
Officials discovered that 150 cover panels had been welded before weekend racing and ordered all remaining covers to be inspected for damage. Although the impact also compromised Day’s radiator, NASCAR granted the team permission to replace the unit and rejoin the race, even though they were already a lap down.
With the field compromised and the championship that Day had entered third now shrouded in turbulence, the minutes spent stopping the race may prove the biggest loss of the season.
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