Opening-lap accident mars Nextel Open

In all, 11 cars damaged just past start-finish line

CONCORD, N.C. -- The Nextel Open got off to a slow but exciting start when No. 2 starter Casey Mears didn't get up to speed on the green flag and was hit from behind by Jeremy Mayfield, triggering a multi-car melee before the field got to Turn 1 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Behind them, Brendan Gaughan plowed into the back of Jimmy Spencer, causing more cars to spin and pile into each other.

Before the crash was over, 11 of the 25 starters were involved.

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Mears said later his transmission broke as he shifted to third gear, causing his car to practically stop. Mayfield had nowhere to go and slammed into the rear of Mears' car, lifting it off the ground.

"We had a really good start," Mears said. "As soon as I went to third, the transmission blew up. ... Fortunately, it wasn't a points race. Unfortunately, we can't get a million dollars."

The winner of the Nextel Open advances to the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, which pays $1 million to the winner.

Despite the crash, the drivers involved kept their sense of humor. As Mears, Burton and Ricky Rudd got out of an ambulance outside the infield care center, they playfully fought each other.

	Scott Riggs' wound up 24th after the opening crash. Credit: Autostock

"Well, you might as well, you know?" Burton said. "It's been one of those years. I thought we ought to have it missed. We were starting so far back, I got excited. 'Yeah, there's a wreck! We get to pick up some spots.' Unfortunately, it just didn't work out for us."

In addition to Mears, Mayfield, Gaughan, Rudd and Spencer, the other cars involved were Kerry Earnhardt, Johnny Sauter, Sterling Marlin, Ken Schrader, Scott Riggs and Morgan Shepherd.

"People started checking up, and we all went everywhere," Gaughan said.

Teams were able to work on their cars during the red flag, as NASCAR announced during the drivers/crew chiefs meeting. Earnhardt's team was the most fortunate with that rule, as Earnhardt stayed on the lead lap.

The only cars not to receive damage or work on their cars under the red were Jamie McMurray, Dave Blaney, Ward Burton, Jeff Green and Scott Wimmer.