Ok a quick thread on fire bottles in the race car after what happened at Talladega arca race. There seems to be some misconception about how they work.

These are the only two bottles required by most stock car sanctioning bodies. The small one on the right is a 5lbs bottle, the bigger on the left is a 10lbs bottle. They are held into the car/truck with clamps like these but there are many designs

The big bottle has a heat activated trigger. Pretty much does what it sounds like, when there is fire, it sets off. This hose goes thru the rear firewall into the trunk area

The bottles are dated for two years and have to be recertified and can be used up to 6 years total.

The driver bottle is activated only but pulling a plunger. If the driver can’t get to it in time, it won’t be active.

Now I haven’t gotten to see the car up close but in my years of experience seeing fires at the track, I’m going to say that was likely an oil fire. Gas tends to burn quicker and doesn’t cover the car, just burns the fuel and anything close. Oil covers the entire car

As big of a fir as that was, it likely knocked the oil cooler out of it, and the engine either kept running and dumping oil, or the car was still in gear and even if the engine is off, it still pumps oil out. That was a hell of a scary situation.

I know Derrick a little bit. Have talked to him in the garage and part stores some, seems like a good guy. Never want to see anything like this happen to anyone. Good luck to him on his recovery.