NASCAR Cup Series

Huge NASCAR pit road fire sends three to hospital

Published Apr. 24, 2015 8:50 p.m. ET

Tom Jensen

Three pit crew members suffered unspecified injuries during a scary pit-road fire shortly before the halfway point of Friday night's ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Richmond International Raceway.

After a caution on Lap 108 of the 250-lap race, Brendan Gaughan pitted, when his No. 62 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet burst into flames and was instantly engulfed in a huge fireball. Rear-tire changer Anthony O'Brien of Cambridge, Minn., was changing the right-rear tire when the flames burst out all around him.

O'Brien was able to disengage himself from the flaming car and was taken to the RIR Infield Care Center where he was reported awake and alert. All crewmembers wear fireproof suits and helmets.

NASCAR said three injured were: O'Brien, fueler Josh Wittman and Clifford Turner, a crew member from McClure's team, which later announced Turner had been treated and released.

There was no word on the condition of O'Brien or Wittman.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.