Lexington, OH – The weekend at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course proved to be a formidable challenge for D&N Motorsports, as they faced an unfortunate incident right at the start of Sunday’s feature race.
Excitement and anticipation filled the air as the team debuted their revamped race car, equipped with a purpose-built race engine designed for increased performance.
During the practice sessions leading up to the race, driver Short showcased the Saturn’s new performance, consistently achieving personal best lap times and securing a solid third position on the grid for Sunday’s race. The atmosphere was charged with optimism, as the team believed this could be their opportunity for another win.
The day of the race featured a combined USTCC (United States Touring Car Championship) and Honda Challenge event, with the USTCC machines starting in front of the Honda Challenge cars. As the green flag waved to signal the standing start, the thrilled crowd was soon gripped by tension when a significant collision marred the opening moments of the race.
The pole-sitting Honda Challenge car launched off the starting line with remarkable speed and momentum, diving eagerly into a tight inside line. Unbeknownst to Short, who was focused on navigating around the USTCC pole-sitting Chevrolet Cobalt, the Honda was rapidly closing the gap. In an attempt to maneuver around the Cobalt, Short’s Saturn made contact with the Honda, resulting in a severe collision that sent both vehicles crashing into the unforgiving inside wall.
The collision’s aftermath revealed extensive damage to Short’s Saturn, with a broken left front suspension and significant body damage rendering the vehicle immobile. An official investigation into the incident initially cited Short as at fault for the crash, leading to a one-race suspension issued by officials.
However, after a thorough review of additional video footage by race officials, the verdict shifted. The collision was ultimately reclassified as a racing incident, revoking the suspension and clearing Short of blame. Despite the weekend’s chaos, the team’s resilience remained intact, and they looked ahead to future races with renewed determination.
DENNIS SHORT, OWNER/DRIVER NO. 24 SATURN SW2: “I can’t help but feel a deep sense of sympathy for the entire team. They poured their heart and soul into building and refining the car throughout last year, investing countless hours and immense effort to prepare for this season. The car had shown remarkable speed during testing, and we were optimistic about our chances on the track. Yet, as is often the case in racing, the unpredictability can quickly turn excitement into disappointment.
Unfortunately, Jeff (driver of the Cobalt) encountered a transmission issue right at the start. He couldn’t shift into third gear, causing his speed to plummet. At that moment, I had to make a split-second decision to avoid a collision – I saw the danger of crashing into Jeff or the car on my right and instinctively turned to the inside. In my split-second judgment, I failed to notice the approaching Honda on the inside, leading to an unavoidable disaster as I inadvertently forced him into the wall. It was one of those chaotic racing moments where no matter which direction I chose, I was going to collide with someone.”
DON SHORT, CREW CHIEF NO. 24 SATURN SW2: “It’s truly unfortunate, and my heart goes out to Dennis. I can only imagine what he’s going through. However, I firmly believe that what happened was a racing incident—nothing more. The decision by the officials to revoke the suspension is clear evidence that.
We know our car is fast now, so we’ll get it repaired and ready to go. We’re looking forward to the next race!”