Dennis Firestone pit-entrance barrier crash at Indy 500 (May 23, 1986) ALL ANGLES & PICS
- 6 years ago
Dennis Firestone (born 22 July 1944 in Townsville, Australia) suffered pit-entrance barrier crash, splitting the car in half at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice for the 70st Indianapolis 500. A four-car accident on the final day of practice Thursday injured two drivers, two pit crewmen and a spectator and juggled the starting lineup for 70st Indy 500.
Drivers Dennis Firestone and George Snider suffered minor injuries in the crash at the entrance to pit road during the first hour of Carburetion Day, during which drivers test their final race set-ups. The accident, which was apparently triggered by a brake rotor on Dennis Firestone's car exploded, blowing his left rear tire. He spun wildly out of turn four, collecting the car of Roberto Moreno. Both cars spun into the inside wall, and Firestone slammed into the pit-entrance barrier, splitting the car in half. Moreno continued to spin through the pits, running into the back of George Snider's car, and crashing into the parked car of Josele Garza.
Firestone suffered small cuts and bruises on his left knee and right arm and was taken to a hospital for examination. Snider was treated at the infield hospital and released. The injured crewmen were Donald Cox, who suffered a scalp cut and possible ankle injury, and Michael Arnold, who was treated for a cut on his right leg and a bruised hip. The spectator, Fred Hager, suffered bruises to his left leg and knee when he was struck by a tire.
Mareno said Firestone pulled ahead of him on the back straightaway. As Moreno entered the pits, he slammed into Snider`s slower car as it also entered the pit lane. Moreno`s car then careened along the inside pit wall and nudged the left front wheel of Josele Garza`s car, which was parked in the pits. Firestone lost control of his car and crashed broadside into a barrier at the end of the outside pit wall. Snider`s car ended up in the infield grass with part of its rear section torn away. Garza, who was sitting in his car at the time, was not injured.
Dennis Firestone competed in CART series from 1979 to 1987. He was the Rookie of the year in CART 1980 season finishing in 12th in season points, his best season. His best finish in a CART race was a pair of 5th places that year. He made 5 starts in the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of 10th in 1981, his next best finish being a 12th in 1984. Since his driving days, he has run a California trucking company.
Drivers Dennis Firestone and George Snider suffered minor injuries in the crash at the entrance to pit road during the first hour of Carburetion Day, during which drivers test their final race set-ups. The accident, which was apparently triggered by a brake rotor on Dennis Firestone's car exploded, blowing his left rear tire. He spun wildly out of turn four, collecting the car of Roberto Moreno. Both cars spun into the inside wall, and Firestone slammed into the pit-entrance barrier, splitting the car in half. Moreno continued to spin through the pits, running into the back of George Snider's car, and crashing into the parked car of Josele Garza.
Firestone suffered small cuts and bruises on his left knee and right arm and was taken to a hospital for examination. Snider was treated at the infield hospital and released. The injured crewmen were Donald Cox, who suffered a scalp cut and possible ankle injury, and Michael Arnold, who was treated for a cut on his right leg and a bruised hip. The spectator, Fred Hager, suffered bruises to his left leg and knee when he was struck by a tire.
Mareno said Firestone pulled ahead of him on the back straightaway. As Moreno entered the pits, he slammed into Snider`s slower car as it also entered the pit lane. Moreno`s car then careened along the inside pit wall and nudged the left front wheel of Josele Garza`s car, which was parked in the pits. Firestone lost control of his car and crashed broadside into a barrier at the end of the outside pit wall. Snider`s car ended up in the infield grass with part of its rear section torn away. Garza, who was sitting in his car at the time, was not injured.
Dennis Firestone competed in CART series from 1979 to 1987. He was the Rookie of the year in CART 1980 season finishing in 12th in season points, his best season. His best finish in a CART race was a pair of 5th places that year. He made 5 starts in the Indianapolis 500 with a best finish of 10th in 1981, his next best finish being a 12th in 1984. Since his driving days, he has run a California trucking company.