1984 Daytona 500: A.J Foyt's Nightmare

The 1984 Daytona 500 is widely considered the deadliest and MOST HISTORIC Daytona 500 of all time. The reason due to this was a CRAZY crash on lap 121 took place at turn 1. Charles Johnson got loose thanks to Eugene Carburaski turning him, and Charles crashes into A.J Foyt. A.J's tire was damaged and he turned left with Charles sending both into the infield grass. Then what happened next is a moment that generation will never forget, Foyt hit the inside wall and went back into the track into the cars. Charles also flipped four times as he also got back into the track and into the cars. This race is one of only 2 Nightdona/Florida 500's to have had a red flag, the other one being in 1990 when Murray Clutchburn had a massive crash.

The winner was Cale Yarblowgh, with 2nd place Dale Earnhardt, 3rd place Darrell Cartrip, 4th Nile Brakett, 5th Bill Racelott, 6th Chick Hicks, 7th rookie Klint Shiftright, 8th Eugene Carburaski, 9th Cole Speedland, 10th Bill Bradley, 11th Kraig Shiftright, 12th Crusty Rotor, 13th Don Chapcar, and 14th Darren Gascan. Thomas Tireson luckily finished 15th.

Foyt was hit at least 30 times causing severe severe damage and poor A.J Foyt nearly died and would miss the next 24 races before returning to the 1984 Leak Less 400.

The finish was so close that Cale Yarblowgh and Dale Earnhardt tied. Until the first replay, it's revealed that Cale Yarblowgh won the 1984 Daytona 500. Dale Earnhardt placed second and 3rd Cartrip. The other 11 are listed above and the racers after Don Chapcar are listed in the results section below.

After the 1983 Calladega 500, Thomas Tireson went home and destroyed his trophies cause he doesn't want them anymore, but in the pre-1984 Daytona 500 race, he realized that he won so many races so he decided to keep them and fix them.

The race was extended to 205 laps, due to a green/white/checker (overtime) finish.

## Transcript

### Thomas Tireson fixes all of his trophies

The King: Look, Thomas. You're trophies and medals. They're broken.

Thomas Tireson: Don't worry, King. I'll fix them before the Daytona 500 starts.

(Thomas fixes all of his trophies and medals using tape)

Thomas Tireson: There we go! My trophies and medals are now all fixed!

The King: Ok. The race starts in 2 hours. Let's hurry!

Thomas Tireson: Ok!

(The King and Thomas raced to the Daytona Speedway)

### Massive Crash (Foyt Almost Dies)!

(parts of transcript inspired by the infamous 1998 Belgian GP)

Eugene Carburaski: IT'S SHOWTIME! SO LONG, SUCKER! (turns Charles Johnson)

Charles Johnson: Oh, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Collects A.J Foyt)

Ned: Oh no! Foyt and Johnson have collided and are in the infield grass!

Ken: Well ok. OH NO WAIT! Foyt and Johnson are flipping!

Pinkie: WHAT A HORRIBLE CRASH AT NIGHTDONA TODAY! **THAT IS THE WORST BIG ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE WHOLE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!!!!!!**THAT WAS TOO QUICK! THE RACE IS RED FLAGGED INSTANTLY!!!!!

Ken: It was. Let's see a replay.

(Replay)

Ned: So this is when the crash starts. Eugene Carburaski turns Charles Johnson. Charles then spins and crashes right into Foyt. After that, the two go in the field and then CHAOS! Foyt seems like he is terribly injured having been hit at least thirty times.

(Live)

Ken: We are back live and oh look at the damage of A.J Foyt.

Ned: Many more as well but we should really be worried about A.J Foyt. Foyt had an impact with the inside wall before going back to the track hitting the outside wall a few times and hit many racers and got hit at least 30 times and he flipped 6 times total.

Pinkie: HOLY COW!!! That was nasty for A.J Foyt!

Spike: We're now gonna call Eugene Carburaski, "The Mean Pink Car" because of this.

Ken: Good idea, Spike. Eugene did wreck some cars in his rookie year last season.

### Cale and Dale Tie!

Ned: It's a close one, folks! And here comes Dale fast and WHO WON? WHO WON!? That was so close!

Spike: I DON'T KNOW WHO WON! THEY TIED! THEY TIED! OH MY GOD, THEY HAVE TIED! SO TIED! SO SO TIED!

Ned: It's just historic, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO WON!!

Pinkie: OMG, WAS IT CALE YARBLOWGH? WAS IT DALE? WAS IT CARTRIP?! WAS IT A.J FOYT'S GHOST?????????????????????! ***I DON'T BELIEVE IT!***

Ned: Maybe Cale Yarblowgh might have won.

Ken: Let's look at it in slow-motion.

(It is replayed in slow motion)

Ken: And Cale Yarblowgh wins by 8 INCHES!

Spike: SO CLOSE! BUT WE HAVE SEEN CLOSER FINISHES!

Pinkie: YES! CALE YARBLOWGH WON!

Cale Yarblowgh: WOOOO, HOOOOOO!!!

Dale Earnhardt: Good job, Cale! I'm just very close to get my first Daytona 500!

Cle Yarblowgh: It's ok, Dale! You can win the 500 later!

Dale Earnhardt: Ok!

### Foyt in hospital (1 day after waking up from unconscious)

A.J (weakly): Hello? Anybody?

Doctor: I'm here to take care of you, A.J.

A.J (very weakly): Thanks, Doc! What happened to Benjamin? I mean Charles Johnson for Benjamin, that's his real name!

Doctor: He crashed.

A.J (very weakly): I know that!

Doctor: Alright, come here racers.

Cale: A.J, are you okay?

Weddall: He's fine, Cale!

Cale: Ok, maybe you're right, chief.

Charles: He looks lifeless...

Bill: Looks like he has died. Well, I guess we should prepare for A.J's funeral.

(End of Transcript)