Jill George crashes in first run at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Newton native Jill George competed at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday in the ARCA Slick Mist 200.

Twenty-five laps into the 80-lap race she overreacted to a crash in front of her, got her left wheels on the apron in turn four and turned her car into the outside wall and upside down. She walked away from the crash and checked out of the infield care center.

George was driving the James Hylton Racing No. 48 Dodge. She earned a seat in the car after a successful test Dec. 19 at Daytona in a Andy Hillenburg Fast Track Racing team car.

“Testing and timing at Daytona was an awesome experience,” George said. “I was very pleased with my performance. I know now that I can do this kind of racing and that I can be competitive. I have so much to learn, but I feel that I have the skills to be competitive with the best in this series and that I could be the best female racer out there, in time.

“My goal has not changed. I want to race at the highest possible level, with the Nationwide Series as my first goal. If that can’t happen, then I will do the best I can to race my dirt cars while we seek enough sponsorship to compete nationally. I know I need to continue working and improving, and I am dedicated to that.”