David Ragan Disappointed After Early Exit From Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (41NBC / WMGT) – After waiting an extra 30 hours for the green flag to fly on the rain-delayed Daytona 500, David Ragan’s race ended just as soon as it finally started. After starting 25th in his Scorpion Truck Bed Liners Ford under the lights at Daytona International Speedway, Ragan only completed one lap before being collected in a multi-car wreck.

“It is disappointing. I was just now trying to see the monitor to see who I can be mad at,” said the driver from Unadilla, Georgia. “It is ridiculous to sit around this long for the Daytona 500 and on the very first lap for someone to be driving as reckless as whoever caused that — someone had to cause it.”

The melee started near the front of the field when Elliott Sadler made contact with Jimmie Johnson’s car, and Ragan couldn’t check up fast enough to clear the careening No. 48. After a hard hit, Ragan was taken to the infield care center where he was evaluated and released. He was credited with a 43rd-place finish.

“It is just a shame for it to be that early in the biggest race, the first race of the year. We just got caught up in it. We were content on riding in the beginning and minding our Ps and Qs. They started wrecking in front of us and we just couldn’t get out of the way quick enough,” added Ragan. “It is very disappointing for our Scorpion Truck Bed Liners team. We will have to pick up and move on. I can’t wait to see who was the bonehead that did that.”

Ragan’s Front Row Motorsports teammates David Gilliland and Tony Raines finished 23rd and 19th respectively. The NASCAR Cup Series moves to Phoenix this coming weekend.