By Flashnews 
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Matt Mills experienced a frightening crash at Homestead-Miami Speedway that led to a brief hospital stay due to smoke inhalation.
Mills’ truck burst into flames after being rear-ended by rookie Conner Jones, causing a chain of events that left him needing medical attention.
Released from the hospital today, Mills promptly posted a heartfelt update to his fans on social media, expressing his gratitude for the support he received.
In his message, Mills shared his relief to be recovering, though he noted he still sounded hoarse from the incident.
“Glad to be out of the hospital,” he said, visibly grateful. “Still a little raspy, as you can hear, but just, all the overwhelming support, and text messages that I’ve got just mean so much to me.
I definitely didn’t like being in the hospital for as long as I was or being in that situation. Having you guys there to support me and help me get through that, just I can’t thank you all enough,” he expressed.
The crash happened when Jones, driving for ThorSport Racing, rear-ended Mills at Turn 3, sending Mills’ truck into the barriers.
The impact sparked a fire that rapidly engulfed his vehicle. In a dramatic turn, Mills managed to guide his truck to a stop by Turn 4, where he quickly exited the burning vehicle.
Emergency crews soon arrived to put out the flames, and Mills was taken to a nearby hospital to be monitored for smoke inhalation.
His composure during the fiery incident showcased his calm demeanor, as he exited the wreck himself before seeking medical help.
In the aftermath, Jones found himself facing significant criticism for his role in the incident.
It was noted that tensions had been building between the two drivers, with Jones making an angry statement about his frustrations with Mills before the race.
Following the incident and Mills’ hospitalization, Jones was penalized with a two-lap penalty and could face further sanctions pending NASCAR’s full investigation.
Upon learning of Mills’ hospitalization, Jones issued a public apology, stating his regret for letting frustration get the best of him during the race.
“I have not yet had the chance to personally apologize to Matt for the incident that took place during today’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I intend to do so,” Jones stated. Acknowledging their previous on-track clashes this season, Jones admitted he underestimated the consequences of his actions and expressed remorse to Mills, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and his own team, ThorSport Racing.
Despite the harrowing experience, Mills remains undeterred. Reaffirming his commitment to racing, he shared with fans that he is even more motivated to perform well in the remaining two races of the season and build momentum heading into 2025.
Mills intends to return to the track at Martinsville, expressing his eagerness to recover fully and continue competing.
“I’m more motivated than ever to keep doing my job,” he said, assuring fans they’d see him on the grid soon.