Vergers crashes on ARCA debut

The British-based Dutchman, who is attempting to break into the US stock car scene this year, came to grief in the Discount Auto Parts 200 on lap 10 when his Ford Taurus suffered a tyre failure after contact with Justin Labonte. Labonte ran into his car coming out of Turn 2 and the damage caused Vergers to crash in the same spot two laps later.

But Vergers had already made his mark. He qualified seventh and ran in eighth before the incident with Labonte.

"Those opening laps were probably the most awesome experience I have ever had in a race car," he said. "The car was really fast and I was getting comfortable with the pace. It's just a pity that we never managed the result that I felt was possible."

The ARCA race - a class two steps down from NASCAR's premier Winston Cup series - was won by Bobby Gerhart. Vergers' next event takes place at the Atlanta oval.