Like Bodine and Waltrip, every driver has a worst-wreck memory. Wallace's came at Talladega Superspeedway in 1993 when his car was tapped from behind by Dale Earnhardt during a wild, two-lap scramble to the finish of the Winston 500. Then, I watched my hand break. That was weird. After that, I was unconscious.
Drivers are most concerned with protecting their heads.
Once they realize a wreck is inevitable, drivers duck their heads and grip the steering wheel as tightly as possible to prevent their hands from flying out the window net. Then they prepare for the blow. You know you're going to hit. You know you're going to hit hard. The point is that when you get close to the point of impact you have yourself braced, that you're ready for it.