NASCAR Pace Car Catches Fire During Race at Daytona! (VIDEO)

It's believed to be a first, at least in modern era of the sport.

During the Sprint Unlimited race Saturday night at Daytona, part of the kickoff for Speedweeks,  the pace car caught fire and brought some humorous drama to the event.

The dash-for-cash event featured 18 drivers racing a total of 75 laps in three segments, similar to the mid-season All-Star events at Charlotte.

As they drivers were readying for the green flag during the final 20 lap segment, smoke began belching from below and behind the 2014 Chevy SS pace car! Fortunately, neither driver Brett Bodine nor his spotter were injured, but the car did register a DNF (did not finish) for the event.

Denny Hamlin won the crash-filled race.   Watch the video below!