A massive 20-car wreck on Lap 124 of Sunday’s Daytona 500 dramatically reshaped the race, collecting several contenders including race leader Justin Allgaier and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin. The incident, described as “The Considerable One” by multiple outlets, occurred as Hamlin attempted to pass Allgaier on Turn 4, according to Fox Sports.
The crash unfolded after Hamlin made an aggressive move on Allgaier, who was piloting the No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. Ryan Blaney, in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, provided a bump to Hamlin, creating a path to challenge for the lead. Allgaier then attempted a block, which Hamlin collided with, initiating the multi-car pileup.
Bubba Wallace managed to avoid the chaos and inherited the lead as a result of the wreck, ultimately securing the Stage 2 victory. Allgaier, Alex Bowman, and Todd Gilliland were forced to withdraw from the race due to damage sustained in the crash, though all three were evaluated and released from the infield care center, according to reports.
While Hamlin’s car appeared to avoid significant exterior damage, his team reported radio communication issues following the incident. The caution flag remained in effect through the conclude of Stage 2, allowing crews time to start the extensive cleanup process.
The wreck involved a significant number of drivers, including Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, William Byron, Michael McDowell, and Zane Smith, as detailed by Fox Sports and the News-Journal Online.
Allgaier took responsibility for the incident, acknowledging a difference in driving style between the NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series, where he typically competes. “I hate it for everybody else, but I’ll stand here and take the blame square on my shoulders,” Allgaier said, as reported by Bob Pockrass. “The runs are just different [in Cup]. The willingness for guys to be aggressive in those moments are probably a little bit different on the Cup side.”
NASCAR’s decision not to throw a caution on the final lap, despite wrecks in both the Truck Series and Cup Series races, also drew scrutiny. Michael McDowell, involved in both incidents, stated he had no issue with the call regarding his own car, noting he continued to move forward. However, the consistency of such decisions remains a point of discussion, particularly with another drafting race scheduled for Atlanta.
The approval of Cleetus McFarland to participate in the Truck Series race also sparked debate. McFarland, a popular YouTube personality and racetrack owner, had limited stock-car experience. NASCAR approved his participation alongside Mini Tyrrell, the Ram “Race for the Sea” winner, who also had limited experience. NASCAR faces a challenge in balancing marketing considerations with safety standards when approving drivers with limited backgrounds.
Riley Herbst’s move near the finish line, criticized by Brad Keselowski and his team, added another layer of controversy to the Daytona weekend. While the move appeared risky, Herbst maintained he was attempting to win the race and potentially avoid pushing teammate Chase Elliott. The incident ultimately overshadowed Herbst’s contribution to teammate Tyler Reddick’s eventual victory.
