NASCAR driver has embarrassing fender-bender before start of race

NASCAR driver Paulie Harraka had one of those moments he'd probably like to forget Sunday. The embarrassing rookie mistake occurred on pit road before officially making the first Sprint Cup Series start of his career.

Harraka, making his 16th NASCAR series start, was set to start 40th on Sunday at Sonoma, just behind Alex Kennedy, who was also making his first Cup Series start. As the field made its way off of pit road to start the pace laps before the race, David Reutimann slowed to a stop in front of Kennedy. So Kennedy did the same.

Harraka didn't until it was too late and attempted to swerve to the left. That too, was futile, and he plowed into the back of Kennedy, bashing in the front of his car and damaging the rear of Kennedy's.

It was one of those annoying fender-benders that can really drive up your insurance rates.

Both cars immediately returned to pit road for repairs, and Harraka was forced to start the race without much of the front of his car because of the severity of the damage. 

Things didn't get much better for Harraka.    He had an issue between turns one and two on lap 7 and brought out the first caution of the day. He ended up completing 89 laps and finished 39th.