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Matt DiBenedetto's feet were "engulfed in flames" in frantic escape

Matt DiBenedetto was very thankful after escaping a fiery incident unscathed on Saturday. The veteran driver was running 22nd in the No. 99 Viking Motorsports Chevrolet when he suddenly pulled into the grass on the final lap of Stage 1.

The car came to a stop, and DiBenedetto seemed almost frantic as he climbed from the car, falling to the ground. He then sat there, removing his racing shoes and checking his feet.

After being checked and released from the infield care center, DiBenedetto revealed exactly what was going on inside the race car.

"There was a big fire at my feet," DiBenedetto explained to The CW. "All of sudden, my feet were getting really hot. I looked down and they're engulfed in flames. I pulled off and tried to get out really quick and in a hurry, because they were fully on fire. And when I was getting out, one of the laces of my shoes got wrapped around the pedals, so I went to get out and I was actually stuck.

Matt DiBenedetto (Photo by: NASCAR)

"Feet were directly in the flames and I'm super thankful for these heat shields and all the safety gear that we have in these cars. But they were burning and melting. I prayed on the third attempt getting out for God to get me out of that thing, and thankful I got out on that last try."

DiBenedetto even showed the burnt remains of his footwear, but thankfully, he suffered no burns in the incident. Even more surprisingly, he later returned to the race, finishing 34th.

Photos from Portland - Race

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Christian Eckes, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Austin Green, Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Joey Hand, Ford

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Jack Perkins, Toyota

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Carson Kapvil, JR Motorsports Chevrolet, William Sawalich, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Takuma Koga, Toyota

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Austin Hill, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Daniel Dye, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Christian Eckes, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford, Carson Kapvil, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Thomas Annunziata, Cope Family Racing Chevrolet, Brennan Poole, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Taylor Gray, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Carson Kapvil, JR Motorsports Chevrolet, Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

William Sawalich, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Jeb Burton, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet, Christian Eckes, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Austin Green, Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

William Sawalich, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Blaine Perkins, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Blaine Perkins, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet, Brennan Poole, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Jeb Burton, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Anothony Alfredo, Young's Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Austin Hill, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Anothony Alfredo, Young's Motorsports Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Harrison Burton, AM Racing Ford, Ryan Ellis, DGM Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Taylor Gray, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Portland - Saturday, in photos

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