Big crashes in NASCAR can change a driver's career in an instant, mostly for the worse. However, in the case of Austin Dillon's 2015 Daytona crash, a by-product of it somehow changed his life in the best of ways.

During the 2015 Coke Zero 400, Dillon was involved in a horrifying final-lap crash that sent his car airborne. He was sent into the catch fence as debris flew around the track. However, this crash became one of the reasons why the Richard Childress Racing driver and his future wife, Whitney, grew close. 

During his recent appearance on Thursday's episode of the "Bussin with the Boys" podcast, the No. 3 RCR driver revealed that story.

"I won the Xfinity race the day before (the crash)," Dillon began. And during the time she was kind of talking to me, and she ended up being at like a lake party and ended up seeing the race I won, and like takes a picture with the TV, sends it to me. And I'm like, 'Oh yeah, we're in.'" The only reason I got her number is cuz this guy in the truck series that I used to help, he was on the lower end of the truck series.'"

The next day, Dillon had the big crash. He elaborated on how that created a hilarious topic of conversation with Whitney, adding:

"So we started texting during that, and I win the (Xfinity) race. But the next day, like, I text her after the Cup race 'cause it ended like 3:00 in the morning. I'm like, 'Hey, I'm okay.' And she's like, 'Oh, cool. Did you win again?' And I'm like, 'No, just turn on the news.'"

While the crash remains one of the most horrifying crashes in NASCAR, it became one of the catalysts for their relationship to blossom. 

What Austin Dillon felt when his car was upside down at Daytona

During the crash at Daytona International Speedway, Dillon was sent airborne after he collided with two cars and hit the catch fence. After the car was destroyed by the catch fence, it landed on its roof before eventually coming to a stop.

Fortunately, the No.3 driver escaped the crash with only a bruised tailbone and forearm. During an interview with NASCAR that year, Dillon was asked about his thoughts as the crew tried to get him out of the wreck. 

"I thought that was pretty awesome," he said. "As soon as I looked up, and I don’t know if it was Casey Mears‘ pit crew member or Casey right at the door, but that made me feel really good and comfortable."

While he emerged unscathed, the spilt oil from his car worried him about a potential fire, as he added:

"The only thing I was worried about was that there was oil everywhere, and I wanted to get away from the car, and that was why I was scrambling to get out from under it. And then just wanted to wave to the fans and let them know I was all good."

Austin Dillon's attitude towards NASCAR racing after that crash was a good talking point. He acknowledged that it is a "tough sport" and crashes are part and parcel of racing at speeds of 200 mph.

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Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco

Edited by

Yash Kotak