At least 30 NASCAR fans were injured Saturday when a car sailed into the fence at Daytona International Speedway, and large chunks of debris _ including a tire _ flew into the grandstands. No fatalities were reported from the accident on the last lap of the Nationwide Series race. 
 
 Kyle Larson (32) goes airborne and into the catch fence in a multi-car crash involving Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88), Parker Kligerman (77), Justin Allgaier (31) and Brian Scott (2) during the final lap of... (Associated Press) 
 
 Injured spectators are treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle Larson's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Kyle Larson's car (32) gets airborne during a multi-car wreck on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Kyle Larson's car (32) gets airborne during a multi-car wreck on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Kyle Larson's car (32) gets airborne during a multi-car wreck on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.... (Associated Press) 
 
 Driver Kyle Larson gets out of his car, which is missing the engine, after hitting the wall and safety fence along the front grandstands on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Daytona... (Associated Press) 
 
 An emergency official ushers fans away from driver Kyle Larson's engine as it burns behind the wall and safety fence that he hit along the front grandstands on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series... (Associated Press) 
 
 A tire from a car lies in the seats after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Kyle Larson's... (Associated Press) 
 
 An injured spectator is transported by emergency personnel after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona... (Associated Press) 
 
 An injured spectator is treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle... (Associated Press) 
 
 Emergency officials put out a fire from driver Kyle Larson's engine after his car hit the wall and safety fence along the front grandstands on the final lap of a NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at... (Associated Press) 
 
 An injured spectator is treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle... (Associated Press) 
 
 An injured spectator is treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle... (Associated Press) 
 
 Injured spectators are treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle Larson's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Brad Keselowski (22) and Kyle Larson (32) slide across the finish line after they were involved in a mulit-car crash on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Daytona International... (Associated Press) 
 
 An injured spectator is treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle... (Associated Press) 
 
 CORRECTS SPELLING TO KLIGERMAN, INSTEAD OF KILGERMAN - Kyle Larson (32) is airborne after a multi-car crash, including Parker Kligerman (77), Justin Allgaier (31) and Brian Scott (2) during the final... (Associated Press) 
 
 Injured spectators are treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle Larson's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Pieces of Kyle Larson's car fly through the air as he slides down the front stretch after he was involved in a multi-car crash on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race at Daytona International... (Associated Press) 
 
 Officials look at the engine and tire of driver Kyle Larson's car after he was involved in a multi-car crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona... (Associated Press) 
 
 Kyle Larson (32) goes into the catch fence during a crash involving, among others, Justin Allgaier (31), Brian Scott (2), Parker Klingerman (77) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (88) at the conclusion of the NASCAR... (Associated Press) 
 
 A tire rests in the stands after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle Larson's... (Associated Press) 
 
 An injured spectator is treated after a crash at the conclusion of the NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. Driver Kyle... (Associated Press) 
 
 The crash began as the field closed in on the finish line, and rookie Kyle Larson's car came upon the wreck and went airborne into the fence that separates the track from the seats. 
 
 Large chunks of Larson's car landed in the grandstands, and one of his tires appeared to fly over the fence and land midway up the lower section. The car itself had its entire front end sheared off, with the burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence. 
 
 Speedway President Joie Chitwood said 14 fans were treated on site, and 14 others were taken to hospitals. Chitwood didn't give any updates on their conditions. 
 
 The number of those transported given by Chitwood was slightly lower than that given by local officials. 
 
 Halifax Health spokesman Byron Cogdell said 12 people were transported to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach and six others were taken to Halifax Health Medical Center of Port Orange. All were in stable condition, Cogdell said. 
 
 Lindsay Rew, a spokeswoman for Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, said its Daytona Beach hospital had one fan there who was in good condition. She said three others they had been expecting were diverted to another hospital. 
 
 No fatalities were reported at either hospital. Cogdell said two people taken to the Halifax in Daytona Beach arrived in critical condition, and one of those had life-threatening injuries, both were upgraded to stable condition. 
 
 The accident happened the day before the Sprint Cup Series season-opening Daytona 500 _ NASCAR's version of the Super Bowl. Daytona workers could be seen repairing the large section of fence where Larson hit, as well as the wall that was damaged in the accident. 
 
 "First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with our race fans," Chitwood said. "Following the incident we responded appropriately according to our safety protocols, and had emergency medical personnel at the incident immediately. 
 
 "We're in the process of repairing the facility and will be ready to go racing tomorrow." 
 
 As emergency workers tended to injured fans and ambulance sirens wailed in the background, a somber Tony Stewart skipped the traditional post-race victory celebration. 
 
 Stewart, who won for the 19th time at Daytona and seventh time in the last nine season-opening Nationwide races, was in no mood to celebrate. 
 
 "The important thing is what going on on the frontstretch right now," said Stewart, the three-time NASCAR champion. "We've always known, and since racing started, this is a dangerous sport. But it's hard. We assume that risk, but it's hard when the fans get caught up in it. 
 
 "So as much as we want to celebrate right now and as much as this is a big deal to us, I'm more worried about the drivers and the fans that are in the stands right now because that was ... I could see it all in my mirror, and it didn't look good from where I was at." 
 
 The accident spread into the upper deck and emergency crews treated fans on both levels. There were five stretchers that appeared to be carrying fans out, and a helicopter flew overhead. A forklift was used to pluck Larson's engine out of the fence. 
 
 Chitwood waited by steps as emergency workers attended to those in the stands. Across the track, fans pressed against a fence and used binoculars trying to watch. Wrecked cars and busted parts were strewn across the garage. 
 
 "It's a violent wreck. Just seeing the carnage on the racetrack, it's truly unbelievable," driver Justin Allgaier said. 
 
 It was a chaotic finish to a race that was stopped for nearly 20 minutes five laps from the finish by a 13-car accident that sent driver Michael Annett to a hospital, where his Richard Petty Motorsports team said he would be held overnight with bruising to his chest. 
 
 The race resumed with three laps to go, and the final accident occurred with Regan Smith leading as he headed out of the final turn to the checkered flag. He admittedly tried to block Brad Keselowski to preserve the win. 
 
 "I tried to throw a block. It's Daytona, you want to go for the win here," Smith said. "I don't know how you can play it any different other than concede second place, and I wasn't willing to do that today. Our job is to put them in position to win, and it was, and it didn't work out." 
 
 As the cars began wrecking all around Smith and Keselowski, Stewart slid through for the win, but Larson plowed into Keselowski and his car was sent airborne into the stands. When Larson's car came to a stop, it was missing its entire front end. The 20-year-old, who made his Daytona debut this week, stood apparently stunned, hands on his hips, several feet away from his car, before finally making the mandatory trip to the care center. 
 
 He said his first thought was with the fans. 
 
 "I hope all the fans are OK and all the drivers are all right," Larson said. "I took a couple big hits there and saw my engine was gone. Just hope everybody's all right." 
 
 He said he was along for the ride in the last-lap accident. 
 
 "I was getting pushed from behind, I felt like, and by the time my spotter said lift or go low, it was too late," Larson said. "I was in the wreck and then felt like it was slowing down and I looked like I could see the ground. Had some flames come in the cockpit, but luckily I was all right and could get out of the car quick." 
 
 It appeared fans were lined right along the fence when Larson's car sailed up and into it, but Chitwood indicated there was a buffer. He said there would be no changes to the seating before the Daytona 500. 
 
 "We don't anticipate moving any of our fans," Chitwood said. "We had our safety protocols in place. Our security maintained a buffer that separates the fans from the fencing area. With the fencing being prepared tonight to our safety protocols, we expect to go racing tomorrow with no changes." 
 
 Larson's car appeared to hit where the cross-over gate _ a section that can be opened for people to travel back and forth from the infield to the grandstands _ is located in the fence. Previous accidents in which drivers hit crossover gates were severe, but the gates were in the wall and not the fence for Mike Harmon's accident at Bristol in 2002 and Michael Waltrip's at the same track in 1990. 
 
 Still, NASCAR senior vice president Steve O'Donnell said it would be studied. 
 
 "I think we look at this after every incident," O'Donnell said. "We've learned in the past certain protocols put in place today are a result of prior incidents. Again, our initial evaluation is still ongoing. But it's certainly something we'll look at. If we can improve upon it, we'll certainly put that in play as soon as we can." 
 
 Larson had been scheduled to race his sprint car later Saturday night in Ocala, Fla., and even seemed restless to get there during the late stages of the Nationwide race. He pulled out of the event following the accident. 
 
 "Honestly, the race itself pales in comparison to the injuries sustained by the fans," said Chip Ganassi, the team owner who has Larson in his driver development program. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the fans that were injured as a result of the crash. As for Kyle, I am very happy that he is OK." 
 
 Keselowski watched a replay of the final accident, and said his first thoughts were with the fans. As for the accident, he agreed he tried to make a winning move and Smith tried to block. 
 
 "He felt like that's what he had to do, and that's his right. The chaos comes with it," Keselowski said. "I made the move and he blocked it, and the two of us got together and started the chain events that caused that wreck. First and foremost, just want to make sure everyone in the stands is OK and we're thinking about them." 
 
 Keselowski said the incident could cast a pall on the Daytona 500. 
 
 "I think until we know exactly the statuses of everyone involved, it's hard to lock yourself into the 500," Keselowski said. "Hopefully, we'll know soon and hopefully everyone's OK. And if that's the case, we'll staring focusing on Sunday." 
 
 ___ 
 
 AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Daytona Beach and Associated Press writer Jennifer Kay in Miami contributed to this report. ||||| DAYTONA BEACH – More than two dozen people were injured at Daytona International Speedway Saturday when a multicar accident sent wreckage past a safety fence and into the grandstand. 
 
 A child was in critical but stable condition late Saturday, and an adult suffered life-threatening injuries, authorities said. Both were at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. 
 
 Fourteen people were taken from raceway by ambulance, and 14 were treated at the track, speedway officials said. 
 
 Terry Huckaby of Tennessee said his brother Eddie Huckaby, 53, of Texas was hurt when a piece of metal about 3 feet long tore a gash from his hip to his knee. He was recovering late Saturday and lamenting that he would have to watch Sunday's Daytona 500 on TV from his hospital bed. 
 
 "When the car hit, debris went everywhere," Terry Huckaby, 61, said. "It was like a war zone there." 
 
 The accident happened about 4 p.m. on the final lap of the NASCAR Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300, which serves as a prelude to the biggest race of the season, the Daytona 500. 
 
 As drivers jockeyed for position, several cars collided and Kyle Larson's car broke apart. Others spun out of control. 
 
 "We saw a tire and debris go into the crowd," said race fan Bryan Gifford of Orlando, who had seats along the front stretch. "There was chaos everywhere." 
 
 Larson's engine caught fire and ended up in front of fans along a crossover gate in the front stretch. The car tore through the catch fence designed to protect fans, hurling debris as high as 45 rows up, where it hit a spectator. Other car parts also flew into the stands. 
 
 "I know I took a couple of big hits there and saw my engine was gone," Larson said. 
 
 Tony Stewart raced through to win. 
 
 "We've always known since racing was started this is a dangerous sport," he said. "But it's hard. We assume that risk. It's hard when the fans get caught up in it. 
 
 The president of Daytona International Speedway, Joie Chitwood, said the rescue process went smoothly. 
 
 "First and foremost our thoughts and prayers are with our race fans," Chitwood said. "Following the incident we responded appropriately according to our safety protocols, and had emergency medical personnel at the incident immediately." 
 
 The last lap was reminiscent of a crash at Daytona in 2000. Geoffrey Bodine's truck slammed into the wall near the finish line, sending it cartwheeling down the track in flames. The flying debris injured nine fans and two drivers. 
 
 NASCAR officials said Saturday's damage to the stands will be repaired in time for the running of the 55th Daytona 500 Sunday afternoon. 
 
 "We're very confident that we'll be ready," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR senior vice president for racing operations. "As with any of these incidents, we'll conduct a thorough review and work closely with the tracks as we do with all our events, learn what we can and see what we can apply in the future." 
 
 Sentinel staff writer Arelis R. Hernández contributed to this report. Read George Diaz's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/enfuego or e-mail him at gdiaz@orlandosentinel.com
– More than two dozen NASCAR fans were injured today when large chunks of debris, including a tire, sailed into the grandstands when a car flew into the fence on a frightening last-lap accident in the second-tier Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway. As emergency workers tended to injured fans and ambulance sirens wailed in the background, a somber Tony Stewart skipped the traditional post-race victory celebration. The Orlando Sentinel reports that at least 28 fans were injured, four were fastened to backboards, and six were described as seriously injured. The crash began as the field closed in on the finish line and sent rookie Kyle Larson's car sailing into the fence that separates the track from the seats. Large chunks of Larson's car landed in the grandstands. The car itself had its entire front end sheared off, with the burning engine wedged through a gaping hole in the fence. "There obviously was some intrusion into the fence and fortunately with the way the event's equipped up, there were plenty of emergency workers ready to go and they all jumped in on it pretty quickly," NASCAR President Mike Helton said. "Right now, it's just a function of determining what all damage is done. They're moving folks, as we've seen, to care centers and take some folks over to Halifax Medical." Click for more.