Driver of infamous Daytona 500 jet dryer passes away unexpectedly
The driver of the jet dryer infamously struck by Juan Pablo Montoya in the 2012 Daytona 500 has died.
Duane Barnes, a 27-year employee of Michigan International Speedway where he was the chief jet dryer operator, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday at his home, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Barnes, who also worked as a fabricator and heavy equipment operator at MIS, was 55.
Barnes was on loan to Daytona International Speedway — a sister International Speedway Corp. track to MIS — when he was involved in the frightening incident where a truck arm broke in Montoya's car as he drove around the track under caution, causing him to crash into Barnes' safety vehicle which was stocked with 200 gallons of jet fuel.
The contact caused the jet dryer to erupt into a massive ball of fire, and set a large portion of the racetrack on fire, forcing officials to red flag NASCAR's biggest race for some two hours. Neither Barnes nor Montoya was seriously hurt.
Montoya now competes in the Verizon IndyCar Series, where he won the 2015 Indianapolis 500.
Barnes is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Elayna Schalk and Patrick Barnes; four step-children; his mother, Phyllis; two brothers and a sister.
Services are Saturday at the funeral home in Addison.
We at FOXSports.com and the NASCAR Shake and Bake Blog express our condolences to Barnes' family and colleagues.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
