As Dale Earnhardt Jr crossed the line to win the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona Beach last night, the battle behind him remained, literally, in the air.

The number 3 car, Dillon Austin, was clipped from behind and launched into a terrifying flip. His car crashed through the catch fencing and came to an abrupt stop against one of the poles.

Several other drivers ploughed off the track in several directions, with some only attracting minor bruises.

Miraculously, Austin got out of his mangled car and, despite some minor bruises, walked away, waving to the crowd as he did so.

Other drivers in recent years have not seen so lucky.