Track worker hospitalized after post-race crash, Aston strikes safety truck

DETROIT, Michigan – The worst accident in the Chevrolet Sports Car Classic in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship race at Belle Isle in Detroit occurred after the checkered flag.

Two minutes before the end of the 100-minute race, Jan Heylen, driving the No. 58 Porsche 911 GT America, ended up against a tire wall. Officials handled the incident with local yellow flags, apparently trying to allow the race to end under green.

That would have been fine, but the threatening clouds opened up on the last lap. After the checkered flag, James Davison, who finished second in the GT-Daytona class, lost control and struck a safety truck dispatched to Heylen’s car. The No. 22 Alex Job WeatherTech Porsche with Leh Keen driving, and the No. 73 Park Place Porsche with Spencer Pumpelly also crashed into the same tire barrier.

Keen said that he aquaplaned, hit a bump and when he came down, the car was out of control. All four cars sustained major damage, along with the safety truck.

Heylen and one track worker were treated and released in the infield care center. Another track worker was taken to the hospital, but his condition has not been released. He will remain overnight in local hospital for further evaluation, according to IMSA.