Top 5 Daytona crashes of all time

Like fights in hockey, crashes in NASCAR are a part of the game. 

It's a risk every driver takes when they strap themselves behind a ground-stricken jet, surrounded by 50 others going just as fast. 

There's nothing that can be done to eliminate this aspect of the sport, however, making for memorable moments on the track. Here we take a look at the five biggest crashes in Daytona 500 history.

5: 2007 Daytona 500 - Disaster at the finish line

With less than a lap to go, every car was jockeying for position at the 2007 Daytona 500. 

Despite two cars ending in photo-finish fashion, nearly 25 cars were involved in a massive pileup that saw everything from cars crossing the finish line on their roofs to vehicles engulfed in flames.

4: 2003 Daytona 500 - Ryan Newman gets airborne

Ryan Newman is fortunate to be alive after his No. 12 car caught some air at the 2003 event. Newman, travelling at top speed, hit the wall and then caught grass, where his car flipped five times to a halt.

3: 1960 Daytona 500 - Largest crash in Daytona 500 history

At the time, the maximum number of cars able to participate in the race was 68.

Coming out of turn four, 37 of those cars crashed in what was easily the biggest pileup in Daytona 500 history. By some chance, everyone involved was able to walk away with hardly any injuries.

2: 2013 Daytona 500 - The crash that shook Daytona Speedway

In the most literal sense, cars were ripped to shreds at the 2013 Daytona 500. 

Fans were hit by debris that ripped through the catch fence as half the fleet of cars on the track were involved in a gruesome pileup at the conclusion of the race. 

1: 1961 Daytona 500 - Richard and Lee Petty fly over the guardrail

Father and son were ready to take over Daytona Speedway. 

Instead, a disaster scene occurred when Richard Petty flew over the guardrail, escaping with minor injuries.

But just as he returned, his son, Lee, and Johnny Beauchamp also crashed, sending both men over the guardrail in one of the scarier moments in Daytona history.