8 More Incredible Last Lap Motorsport Fails
Jamie Whincup was leading the 2014 Bathurst 1000 and was told by his team to save fuel, but he went against their orders to drive conservatively and ended up running out of fuel on the last lap. He eventually limped home in fifth, with Chaz Mostert taking the win.
During the second BTCC race at Oulton Park in 2011, Honda drivers Gordon Shedden and Matt Neal were running first and second. But a late and over-ambitious move by Neal on the last lap at the final corner cost both drivers a potential strong result.
Mark Martin was leading the 1994 Goody’s 250 Nascar race at Bristol under a very late caution period. As the white flag flew to mark the last lap, Martin thought the race was over and pulled off towards victory lane. David Green breezed past to take the win.
A similar situation took place at the 2008 Indy Lights Mid-Ohio race. Jonny Reid was leading under caution but pitted just as the field took the chequered flag, thinking the race was completely over. But it wasn’t, meaning that James Davison took the win. Oops…
During the recent Street Stock Invitational at the Penticton Speedway, a rookie driver was running fourth before spinning on oil on the final lap. In a bid to retain position, the car was spun around but onto the racing line, causing a big crash.
On the last lap of the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega in 2012, Michael Waltrip tagged Tony Stewart, causing a huge crash that collected 25 cars. That’s one expensive last lap accident!
During a Fiat 600 Cup race in Argentina, the leader got too cocky on the run to the line, losing control while he waved at the crowd in celebration and hitting the wall. His car came to rest two metres from the line!
OK, so this one didn’t happen on the last lap, rather the penultimate lap of the 2012 European Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton’s tyres had gone off completely and Pastor Maldonado was quickly closing in. He tried to make a move at Turn 13 but was forced wide. As Maldonado returned to the track, the two drivers clashed, taking Hamilton out of the race and costing Maldonado a rare good result.
Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments! You can see the original post here.
Comments
At number 2: Dead or alive you’re coming with me! (Robocop/Deadpool)
Number 6 is literally like the pileup in the Cars film
Instant karma for hamilton… Got what he deserved for trying to push him off
Not sure if it counts, but Toyota fail in the last lap of Le Mans 24 Hours 2016 can be in the list:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOSNEGYJWus