Brad Keselowski, Ricky Rudd (as the video shows at 0:16) and Michael Waltrip are feeling why today.
Waltrip was the only driver of the three that had a faint idea that his race was about to end early when the left-front tire finally cut down entering turn three during Sunday night's Sharp Aquos 500, sheering an oil line and igniting the No. 55 Napa Toyota. Luckily, Waltrip was able to get out in time -- but not very quickly.
Rudd's fortunes weren't as obvious.
Rudd might be sidelined now for Saturday night's race at Richmond due to a separated shoulder he suffered in his hit against the frontstretch wall. Rudd said he was knocked out briefly by the flush driver's side impact.
"I didn't see anything," Rudd said. "I didn't see it coming because it was behind me. Next thing I know I'm handing a right down the straightaway and headed straight for the fence. There was no time to even brace for it.
"That lap or two is out of my memory. I was awake when I stopped. But I tried to unbuckle and couldn't because my shoulder just wouldn't work."
As for Keselowski? The 23-year-old Busch Series driver deserves some kind of award for taking such a vicious hit. His night went sour in a similar fashion to Rudd's, except at the end of the straightaway and with more speed.
His No. 88 got clipped in the rear by a spinning A.J. Allmendinger, shooting it straight towards the turn one wall. The impact left Keselowski taking his first ride through the air of the night as his Chevy twirled atop the SAFER Barrier and many in attendance wondering about his health.
He would later find himself in a helicopter heading to a nearby hospital for treatment of a leg injury and other tests. The JR Motorsports driver is expected to see more doctors this week to determine the final extent of his injuries.
All this, of course, when everyone thought the heat was plenty brutal.
