Overview

• Ryan Preece's violent airborne crash during the 2025 Daytona 500 has intensified scrutiny of NASCAR's safety protocols.
• Preece, who escaped the crash unscathed, criticized the aerodynamic design of the Next-Gen car for contributing to dangerous airborne incidents.
• Drivers like Denny Hamlin argue that current speed restrictions and tight pack racing increase the likelihood of severe accidents, calling for changes to superspeedway rules.
• NASCAR officials are investigating the crash and collaborating with RFK Racing and Brad Keselowski to analyze data and explore safety improvements.
• The incident has reignited debates over whether NASCAR's reactive safety measures address the root causes of superspeedway crashes, including the controversial 2018 rule changes.