NASCAR reporter Amanda Busick is still reflecting on the terrifying moment when a 4,000-pound pit cart came rolling toward her during a qualifying session at Dover Motor Speedway. Instead of freezing, Hendrick Motorsports crew member Donovan Williams jumped in front of the speeding cart and protected her from a direct hit. The frightening accident occurred on pit road during race activities in Delaware.
Busick was walking near the area when the heavy cart suddenly rolled downhill toward her. Williams quickly attempted to stop it, but the cart was moving too fast. In the midst of the chaos, he placed himself between Busick and the cart. Both were knocked to the ground, but Williams absorbed most of the impact.
According to reports from The Athletic, Williams was rushed to the hospital with minor injuries. Doctors treated a deep cut on his right side and severe road rash on his hand. Fortunately, X-rays came back negative, and he is expected to make a full recovery. Busick was also examined at the track care center and diagnosed with a hyperextended knee, along with bruises and shoulder pain.
Donovan Williams Saves Amanda Busick During Terrifying NASCAR Pit Road Accident
Busick later described the harrowing seconds during an interview with The Athletic. She said everything felt like it was happening “in slow motion, but super-fast” as she watched the cart race toward her. She explained that Williams tried to brace himself against the cart, but the speed was simply too much to control.
“This all happened in probably less than half a second, maybe a second,” Busick said. “And Donovan, in his attempt to shield me, we kind of got collected and then would have been pushed, I don’t know, I’d say probably five to 10 feet together with the cart behind him and him on me. That guy saved my life.”
Even after the painful crash, Busick returned later that day to continue covering the truck race for Fox Sports. Williams, meanwhile, admitted the accident left him shaken.
“What happened Friday was really traumatic,” Williams told The Athletic. “Definitely one of the scariest moments of my life, just because I didn’t know exactly what the outcome was.”
When people started calling him a hero, Williams remained humble about the incident.
“Whether it was just a matter of circumstance, I just reacted in the situation, went with it and was hoping for the best,” he said.
After the accident, Busick visited Williams in the hospital, where the two shared an emotional hug. She later admitted she still does not know what could have happened if Williams had not stepped in front of the cart.
Hendrick Motorsports later helped Williams travel back home to North Carolina with his mother. Team owner Rick Hendrick and NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon were among those who checked on him after the frightening incident.
