Chris Buescher was able to walk off under his own power after his car flipped and rolled along the straightaway of Charlotte Motor Speedway after a crash with Daniel Suarez in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600.
The chain-reaction wreck occurred with 54 laps remaining. Rescue units immediately came to Buescher’s car, and he dropped the safety net to indicate he was OK. He appeared to be communicating with his team. Once the safety crew turned the car over, Buescher was able to get out and walk away.
Chris Buescher flips at Charlotte. He’s okay. pic.twitter.com/op5MtHU16h
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 30, 2022
“It was a little painful. It’s a shame,” Buescher told Fox Sports after being examined in the infield care center.
“Our team did a terrific job from the start of the weekend through qualifying in the race, and we were able to drive our way up to the top 10,” Buescher added. “I guess the tires just ripped off and sent us flipping, so I guess I have done that before, but that one was a bit more painful than the Talladega roll.”
Buescher was referring to his flip in May 2016 at Talladega Superspeedway in the GEICO 500.
MORE: NASCAR at Charlotte live updates, results, highlights
The incident started when Chase Briscoe and Suarez collided, causing Suarez to spin. Suarez collected Todd Gilliland, which spun Suarez further and sent him into the right rear of Buescher’s No. 17 car. Once Buescher’s car hit the infield, his right front wheel broke and fell underneath the car, which flipped the car into the air.
Another look at Chris Buescher’s flip. pic.twitter.com/8dTAOIcHm7
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 30, 2022
Both Briscoe and Suarez were released from the infield care center, according to NASCAR.
.@Chris_Buescher and @Daniel_SuarezG have been evaluated and released from the infield care center. https://t.co/yTOIKPWAKp
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 30, 2022
Suarez had had one of the fastest cars in the field to that point in the race. He was consistently in contention for the lead with Trackhouse Racing teammate Ross Chastain.
That was not the only major crash during the race. There was also a wreck involving 12 cars on Lap 192. It ended the night for several drivers.
The big one. pic.twitter.com/jn6VUHr0p6
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 30, 2022
Fox reported that Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, Noah Gragson, Martin Truex Jr., Harrison Burton, Bubba Wallace, William Byron, Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland and Kurt Busch were involved.