Lepage apologizes for sparking Talladega Nationwide Series crash
Nationwide Series driver Kevin Lepage issued a statement apologizing for causing a 15-car accident in Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega.
Lepage was coming out of the pits with 47 laps to go when he tried to blend in with the leaders as they raced toward Turn 1. Initially, Lepage said it wasn’t his fault, pointing out that some leaders passed him before the accident began.
But Sunday, he took responsibility.
“[On] Saturday afternoon every racer’s concern was realized, as I caused ‘the big one,’” Lepage said in a statement released by his team, Specialty Racing. “After reviewing the tapes of the accident I realize I need to apologize to NASCAR, the car owners, my fellow competitors and, most importantly, the fans.
“I made a huge driver error by blending onto the race track in the wrong area. This caused a multicar accident and changed the outcome of the race for many teams. I’m so thankful that no one was hurt considering the number of cars involved.”
Lepage said it was the “biggest mistake he’s ever made in over 25 years of racing.
“And I promise that it will not happen again. It is such a terrible feeling knowing that NASCAR, the car owners, fellow competitors and NASCAR fans think this was a ‘bonehead’ move, and I certainly don’t want anyone thinking of me in these terms.
“Speaking yesterday before reviewing the tapes of the accident made me look like a ‘heel,’ and there is not a single person to blame for this huge mistake except myself.
“I have worked very hard over the years to gain the respect of NASCAR, the owners, competitors and the fans, and it will take a long time to gain it back after what happened.”
Lepage said if he could do it over, he would let the leaders by before blending on to the track.
