Accidents will happen: Drivers expect space to be at a premium as Nationwide comes to Mid-Ohio

LEXINGTON, Ohio – NASCAR Nationwide Series races can be treacherous, with large cars competing for tight space in the corners.

Now imagine putting 40-some of those speedy tanks on a twisty road course with 13 turns over 2.25 miles of a narrow ribbon of pavement.

No wonder almost everyone is expecting lots of rumpled fenders and crumpled trackside fences when the series races for the first time at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in the inaugural Nationwide Children's Hospital 200 on Saturday.

All of the top drivers — Austin Dillon, Sam Hornish Jr., Regan Smith, Elliott Sadler and Brian Vickers make up the top five in the standings — anticipate a wild day of racing in the 90-lap, 203-mile event contested over the rolling hills midway between Cleveland and Columbus.