With stupendously powerful V-8 engines, top speeds that brush against 200 mph, and a relatively high curb weight, the NASCAR series is renowned for spectacular crashes that occur mid-race. This weekend’s Xfinity race at Watkins Glen had a different type of vehicular carnage, when Derrike Cope’s No. 70 Chevrolet exploded while coasting off the track.
While coasting down the “bus lane,” the front end of Cope’s car suffers a rather violent explosion. Initially, officials and Cope’s team were unable to determine the cause of the reaction. In the video, we see the explosion initiate from the front driver’s side. After the explosion, there is no flames, so this lead us to believe this was the result of a pressurized component.
Cope’s car was impounded following the incident, so race officials could examine No. 70. Today, NASCAR officials determined the explosion was caused from tire failure from excessive brake heat that was not dispersed efficiently.
“In 35 years of racing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that transpire before,” Cope told NBCSN. “I lost the brake pedal going into Turn 1, and I knew something happened to a piston or whatever so I just went easy down there and got off the end down there and started coming to a stop, and the whole thing just blew the hood off. And I don’t know really what it was. It looked like the shocks were all intact and the tires were up, so I don’t know really what exploded.”
Take a look at Derrike Cope’s car troubles in the video below.
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