CERES (CBS13) - NASCAR driver Tanner Thorson was injured in a fiery crash on Highway 99 near Ceres early Monday morning.
The crash happened a little after 4 a.m. on the northbound side of the freeway near the Hatch Road offramp, between Modesto and Ceres.
A California Highway Patrol spokesperson says a pickup truck pulling a trailer carrying two race cars crashed into a milk truck. The milk truck had been slowing down for a cone zone when it was rear-ended by the pickup.
"This could have been really bad, we have active workers out here [who] could have been easily hit or struck by these vehicles," said Ofc. Thomas Olsen with CHP.
The pickup ended up on the right shoulder and was soon engulfed in flames, but the driver, Tanner Thorson, was able to get out.
Thorson suffered a possible broken arm and leg, CHP says.
The passenger of the milk truck suffered minor injuries, according to CHP. Investigators are looking into whether drowsy driving could have possibly contributed to the crash.
Several racing organizations have offered messages of support for Thorson.
"Thankful @Tanner_Thorson is going to be okay following a crash this morning in California. Keeping him and the @TThorsonRacing team in our thougths & sending positive vibes for a speedy recovery. Get well soon! - TSR," wrote Tony Stewart Racing on Twitter.
Thorson is a 22-year-old Minden, Nevada native who is a part-time racer for NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series and had recently returned full-time to midget racing in the USAC.
Swipe below to see photos from some of Thorson's races.
DOVER, DE - MAY 03: Tanner Thorson, driver of the #20 Go Share Chevrolet, during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JEGS 200 at Dover International Speedway on May 3, 2018 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Tanner Thorson, driver of the #20 Go Share Chevrolet, and Myatt Snider, driver of the #13 Century Container Ford, drive during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series JAG Metals 350 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 1, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)ROSSBURG, OH - JULY 18: Tanner Thorson, driver of the #20 Ohio Logistics Chevrolet, walks to his truck during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway on July 18, 2018 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)ROSSBURG, OH - JULY 17: Tanner Thorson, driver of the #20 Ohio Logistics Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway on July 17, 2018 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)ROSSBURG, OH - JULY 18: Ty Dillon, driver of the #12 K&L Ready Mix Chevrolet, and Tanner Thorson, driver of the #20 Ohio Logistics Chevrolet, walk to their trucks during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Eldora Dirt Derby at Eldora Speedway on July 18, 2018 in Rossburg, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 16: Tanner Thorson, driver of the #20 Ohio Logistics Chevrolet, practices for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UHOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 16, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)BRISTOL, TN - AUGUST 16: Tanner Thorson, driver of the #20 Ohio Logistics Chevrolet, leads a pack of trucks during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series UHOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 16, 2018 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)
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