Some fans still recovering from last year’s Nationwide crash at Daytona

Kyle Larson's car hits the fence

The fence that was damaged by a flying race car has been repaired, but some of the seriously injured fans who were seated in the grandstands at Daytona International Speedway last year continue to heal, and it isn't clear if they will return for Speedweeks.

Kyle Larson's race car sent debris — including an engine and a tire –– flying when it crashed into a fence designed to protect fans during the Nationwide Series DRIVE4COPD 300 on Feb. 23, 2013. The crash injured at least 28 spectators, 14 of whom were transported to area hospitals.

Whitney Turner, 34, of Indiana suffered a broken leg from the accident. She declined an interview but provided a written statement about her injuries.

“After the accident, I have had a total of five surgeries on my right leg," Turner wrote. “My bones in my leg were shattered, my Achilles tendon was severed and my knee was blown out. It has been a very long painful road."

Matt Morgan of the personal injury law firm Morgan & Morgan represents five of the injured fans, including Turner. He said his firm is working toward settlement negotiations with all responsible parties including International Speedway Corporation and NASCAR. Morgan said most of his clients from the accident, like Turner, are still recovering and have experienced financial losses as a result.

“Since the date of the crash, she has been living on her back and lost her job," he said about Turner. “She is struggling to support her young daughter."

Speedway officials declined to discuss the details of any potential settlements.

“We have been in discussions with representatives of several race fans involved in the incident last year but out of respect for their privacy, we are not disclosing the details of those conversations," Lenny Santiago, the Speedway's director of public relations, said in a statement. “As the leading motorsports promoter in North America, our primary concern is always focused on the safety and security of our guests and competitors."

Other injured fans included Michigan couple Gaylene and Steve Johnson. Both suffered lacerations from debris, and Gaylene had internal bleeding. Former Daytona State College student Becket McGinn suffered four broken ribs and severe gashes in his arms and legs. McGinn's 14-year-old brother was critically injured and was the last patient released from Halifax Health Medical Center.

McGinn and the Johnsons declined an interview for this story. Daytona Beach News Journal