There are moments on the track, when everything becomes still, and it’s usually after crashes. Whether it’s the sheer scale of the wreck like the Big One at Talladega or any other crash in the sport,  However, it seems that crashes and accidents have become an almost expected part of dirt racing for fans.

The 2024 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals witnessed a terrifying crash as Darin Weisinger sped into Turn 1, only to slam into the fence in a heart-stopping moment. Despite the severity of the incident, social media quickly filled with humorous takes, with fans turning the moment into a source of lighthearted trolling.

The Super Late Model heat race at the 2024 Castrol Gateway Dirt Nationals took a dramatic turn for Darin Weisinger Jr. in a wreck that was far from ordinary. His No. 11 Super Late Model clipped the outside wall fence, launching over the barrier and outside the race track—a rare and terrifying sight.

Spectators were left stunned as the car came to rest nearly upright on its nose, with debris strewn across the area. Thankfully, Weisinger emerged unscathed, but the incident forced a temporary halt to the race as crews worked swiftly to clear debris and repair the damaged fence.  Interestingly, Weisinger also commended the track’s safety protocols despite the concerns raised. “The fence did its job and helped out a lot. I know I was at an awkward angle, but it could’ve been even more disastrous. Big credit to the track crew; they do a really good job making sure everyone stays safe. Shout out to Cody and his team for that,” he said.

The unique nature of the crash, where the car went completely off the track, raises critical questions about the effectiveness of existing safety barriers. While the fence helped prevent a more catastrophic outcome, the damage it sustained suggests a need for stronger preventative measures. Despite the scale of the accident, Weisinger himself downplayed its impact. “Yeah, the right front was definitely in, and it ripped the wheel right out of my hand. After that, I was just along for the ride. It didn’t hurt as bad as the hit I took here last year, but it’s still unfortunate because it looks like the car’s bent. We’ll assess the damage and see what’s next,” he explained.

As Weisinger’s admission calmed fans’ nerves, they found the funny side of the crash.

Fans react humorously to Darin Weisinger crashing at the Dome

While the accident could have gone really bad, Darin Weisinger was safe and sound which led fans to take on a humorous dig at the driver. This sarcastic jab likely stems from the sight of Weisinger’s No. 11 Super Late Model coming to a halt in an unexpected location—outside the track and precariously on its nose. A common sentiment that fans resonated with through social media was, “Heyyyy, you can’t park there”!  It reminded fans of a viral social media meme that’s made rounds of virtually all motorsports.

The aftermath of the accident was the car being towed, and it ensured that the damage did not allow it to be deemed fit for movement either. A fan pointed out the same and said, “That car is now junk”. The crash not only wrecked the car but also disrupted the event temporarily, as the track crew worked to repair the fence and clear the damage. This incident underscores the ongoing need to refine safety measures tailored to the demands of dirt racing. Striking a balance between thrilling competition and driver security remains paramount, especially in light of such high-risk events.

Fans also joked, “Hey, you can’t be parking there!” and “Can’t park there,” poking fun at the unorthodox resting place of the car. The crash scene, where the vehicle ended up beyond the barrier, could easily be mistaken for a messy parking job to the amateurs. As the car ended up taking an unanticipated detour, a fan reacted and added, “Me driving by seeing this wreck: the pits are the other way, you can’t park there”.

While these fan reactions are indeed humorous, they point out the harsh reality of how detrimental the risks associated with this variant of racing can be. At the heart of these jokes lies a collective sigh of relief that Weisinger walked away unscathed from a crash that could have been much much more serious.