NASCAR Cup Series

Daytona: Pace car catches fire before Sprint Unlimited race

Published Feb. 16, 2014 1:43 p.m. ET

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Chevrolet says it is assessing a fire in the trunk of the pace car at Daytona international Speedway.

The car manufacturer says the Chevrolet SS pace car has an auxiliary electrical kit in the trunk. The kit operates the car's numerous caution lights.

Chevy has not linked the electrical kit to the fire.

Black smoke began billowing from the pace car right before the third segment of the Sprint Unlimited race. Flames could be seen shooting from the rear of the car as it sat on the apron. The pace car driver and passenger safely exited the vehicle.

A replacement pace car was brought out to finish the race.

Race winner and Toyota driver Denny Hamlin quipped, "Should have been driving a Camry."

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