[cstreit]

Jim,

I think it was really an accordian effect.

The 1st row or two were rolling to the start and started speeding up as often happends with most long straight starts. The starter probably saw how strung out the field was and prepared to throw a late flag to allow the field to bunch up. (No chance of that though, we were sooo strung out). When they saw this coming they lifted slightly. The cars further back in approximately rows 3-8 were hustling to catch up and on the gas. They needed to slow and the accordian effect takes over.

(ie one car lifts, next one brakes a little, next brakes a little more, guy in back is hard on the brakes). At that point it's speculative but someone got loose whether through contact or trying to avoid through steering, or was jumping the start. They were all so close and full out that chaos was inevitable at this point. Cars started caroming off walls and each other and people got hit and lost control.

Visibility was nil at that point and a few cars racing from the back after the green fell couldn't slow in time and hit the pack causing the pileup. I saw that right infront and next to me. The orange corvette (the less damaged one) was immediately to my right and just tapped the last car. I was able to brake a bit better and get slowed, plus was on the less busy side.

The pictures show the mess AFTER some cleanup. When I went through it was much worse. I wanted to stop rather than go through but there were 25 more cars behind that I didn't want on top of me.