Rookie polesitter Chase Elliott was enjoying a strong opening to Sunday's Daytona 500 before he lost control of his car, which spun onto pit road and then into the infield grass.
Elliott's car did not appear to have much damage until it slid hit the turf, burying its nose as sheet metal crumpled.
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Drivers had discussed the issue of whether there should be grass next to racetracks, such as at Daytona International Speedway, throughout the week.