Darkness settles and clouds loom over Daytona International Speedway, as a horrible crash into the fencing injures 28 fans. during the the Drive 4 COPD 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race. As a great race came to a close, the leaders wrecked and caused a massive crash, which sent rookie Kyle Larson's car airborne into the fence at the start-finish line. The impact with the porous guarding lodged engine into the fence and sent a tire and other debris several rows deep into the stands. 

NASCAR senior vice president Steve O'Donnell and Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood III met with the press about 7 p.m. Saturday. They say that of the 28 fans injured, 14 of were transported to area hospitals. There is no official word on the severity of injuries, though an official at Halifax Health and Medical Center in Daytona tells the press they do have one person with a critical head injury. O'Donnell says that crews will repair the fence in time for the Daytona 500. There are reports that the number of hurt fans could be higher than 28, but those numbers keep changing. 

"The track's currently underway repairing the fencing. We are confident it will be ready for the running of the 55th running of the Daytona 500." 

This crash is similar to when Carl Edwards got airborne and hit the fence at Talladega Superspeedway in 2009. That crash injured a couple of fans and led NASCAR to change the type of fencing at that track. NASCAR driver Bobby Allison destroyed fencing in 1988, injuring several fans and another crash at Daytona in 2003 sent a hood from a racecar into the stands. 

One fan told News/Talk WSB that he is worried about how close his seating will be to the fence for the Daytona 500. 

"We're going to be sitting over there tomorrow, in the handicapped area - and we're concerned." 

Chitwood III says there are no plans to prohibit fans from sitting near the fence during the race. 

Just before  Saturday's infamous wreck, another multi-car fracas brought stopped the race. That crash injured driver Michael Annett and crews transported him to nearby Halifax Health and Medical Center and doctors treated him for chest bruising. Richard Petty Motorsports, the team Annett drives for, says the hospital also administered a CT scan, but officials have not released its results.

These injuries cast a major shroud over what has been a promising lead-up to the start of the 2013 season for NASCAR. The debut of a new-style racecar for the Sprint Cup Series, Danica Patrick's historic pole position in the Daytona 500, and great races leading up to the Great American Race paved the way for a galvanizing start to the year. Instead, the grim realities of restrictor plate racing, the tight quarters, high-speed racing at Daytona and Talladega both, rise to the forefront of the minds of many around the country. 

Live updates through the night on 95.5FM/AM-750 News/Talk WSB.