Danica Patrick Crashes Into Wall During Gatorade Duel [VIDEO]

On Thursday, Tony Stewart looked on in his rear view mirror as his protege, Danica Patrick, was bumped out of the pack and went right into the wall at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Gatorade Duel #1 qualifying race for the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway.

"The good thing, with a fluorescent green car, she's easy to pick out," said Stewart, the defending Sprint Cup champion.

"It happened really quick," said Patrick. "You just have to brace yourself. I guess in these situations I just have to be glad that I'm a small driver and I've got room. It was just a chain reaction. . . . Every person that gets hit, next and next and next. I'm bummed out we didn't finish the last two corners. . . . Maybe the backup car will be faster."

This was certainly an eye opening introduction to Sprint Cup racing for Patrick, and even though Patrick finished 16th in the race, she'll still make her Sprint Cup debut on Sunday from the rear in a backup car.

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