The outcome was not in doubt as Earnhardt dominated the race. But as the pack of cars chased him on a two-lap overtime sprint to the finish, contact in traffic sent Austin Dillon's car flying upside down into the catch fence.

"That catch fence took a hell of a shot," Earnhardt said.

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The car tore down a section of fencing, and Dillon sailed back onto the track. His mangled car landed on its roof, and Casey Mears' crew members raced to pull Dillon from the wreckage.

WFTV's Christian Bruey reports that eight fans declined treatment, four were treated on site and one was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

>> PHOTOS: Horrifying airborne crash at Daytona NASCAR race

The crew members quickly waved to signal that Dillon was fine, and the driver climbed from the car and raised his arms in the air.

Sunday's crash happened along the same front stretch as a serious crash happened during 2013's Nationwide Race.

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Thirty-three people in the stands were injured in that incident when Kyle Larson's race car crashed.

Race officials found out what went wrong, then fixed and reinforced the fence to try to keep it from happening again.