On Sunday, Cindy Meyers attended her first NASCAR race, and probably her last.
"I thought I was going to die when that car came flying right at me," Meyers told Sporting News through her attorney, Matt Morgan. "The whole event was just terrifying. I am happy to be alive."
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The 58-year-old from St. Cloud, Fla., near Orlando, was struck with a piece of metal — she wasn't quite sure what it was — that came flying into the third row of Daytona International Speedway's grandstand after Austin Dillon wrecked and went airborne, destroying his car on the final lap of the Coke Zero 400. The debris hit her in the shoulder and knocked her to the ground.
Meyers was in attendance at Daytona with her son, who bought her tickets as a birthday gift. They wanted to see a race in Jeff Gordon's final season. Both were injured from flying debris, but treated by medical personnel at the track and released. Five people were injured and only one went to the hospital, but was released several hours later.
Meyers said she's seeing a specialist and physical therapist Wednesday, adding that she's still in pain in her upper-body — back, arm and neck, mostly. She also has "something stuck in my eye that I can't seem to get out." Her son was hit with the same piece of metal, sustaining similar injuries, as well as some burns.
"All I want is for my medical bills and things to be paid for," Meyers said. "This was my first race and I was having a great time until this happened."
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Morgan, a prominent personal injury attorney in Orlando who has represented victims of injuries during NASCAR races before, told Sporting News his client isn't seeking a large settlement, but enough to cover immediate out-of-pocket and possible future medical expenses. The Meyers do not have medical insurance, Morgan said.
NASCAR requires its tracks be liable for any injuries to fans.
"I saw the car coming at us and then everything is a blur," Meyers said. "It all happened so fast that I was not able to process what was happening. It was just a big loud explosion right in my face.
"I don't think I will go to a race again in the future."