In NASCAR crashes have become an integral and, in many ways, expected aspect of the sport. Far from being mere accidents, these collisions play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of each race, adding an element of unpredictability and excitement that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
While safety remains a top priority, the role of crashes in bunching up the field, altering race dynamics, and creating intense moments underscores their significance in maintaining the pulse-pounding thrill that defines NASCAR races. Delve into the list of these heart-pounding crashes that took place in 2023 and find out the crashes that made it into the list of top 10.
10. Ryan Blaney’s “hardest hit” at Nashville
During the Ally 400 race at Nashville Superspeedway, the inaugural crash spotlighted reigning champion Ryan Blaney. Unfolding on lap 147 of the 300-lap event post-caution, the mishap emanated from a slowdown by Brad Keselowski , Blaney’s teammate in the second row. Kyle Busch, unable to decelerate in time, collided with Blaney’s 18th-positioned No. 12 Ford Mustang, initiating a spin across the grass and pit road exit. The absence of a SAFER barrier at the inside wall intensified the impact, prompting a red flag for safety crews to aid Blaney.
Although he emerged unharmed, the incident marked the “hardest hit” of his career, emphasizing the need for additional safety measures. Expressing frustration, Blaney advocated for installing a SAFER barrier in the vulnerable spot. Apologizing to his team and fans, he finished 35th, descending to 10th in points. The race, suspended for 19 minutes, concluded with Kyle Larson‘s victory, securing his fourth consecutive points-paying win and first at Nashville Superspeedway since 2011.
9. Bubba Wallace’s Talladega “Big One”
Talladega Superspeedway, renowned for its tumultuous history of crashes, bore witness to one of its most harrowing incidents during the GEICO 500. Bubba Wallace, piloting for 23XI Racing, found himself entangled in a dramatic crash on the final lap of the extended 300-lap race. While leading, Wallace’s attempt to block Ryan Blaney resulted in a collision, triggering a multi-car wreck that concluded the race under caution and handed the victory to Kyle Busch.
Wallace’s car, propelled airborne after hitting a drainage ditch, flipped and slid on its roof, prompting a series of impacts involving Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Alex Bowman, and Kurt Busch. Despite the severity, Wallace emerged unscathed but acknowledged it as the “scariest” crash of his career, attributing it to a “bad block” on Blaney. The race, marked by two other significant crashes, showcased intense competition with 21 different leaders and 35 lead changes.
8. Pala Casino 400 10-car pileup
The Pala Casino 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, marked the second race of the 2023 season and the final event on the 2-mile oval before its transformation into a half-mile short track. Kyle Busch, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, clinched victory, leading 37 laps and overtaking Ross Chastain for the lead in the race’s closing 10 laps.
However, the race was overshadowed by a substantial rash of tire failures, affecting more than 20 instances during the event. Notable drivers, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick , Jimmie Johnson , Brad Keselowski, and Marcos Ambrose , grappled with tire issues, navigating the field to salvage lead lap finishes. The most pivotal tire failure occurred on lap 87 when pole sitter Christopher Bell triggered a 10-car pileup on the front stretch, constituting the largest accident in Auto Club Speedway’s history.
The crash at the Coca-Cola 600 was one of those bitter battles that take place every so often. The crash unfolded between Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott. Transpiring on the front stretch, both drivers were sent careening into the wall. Hamlin’s vehicle collided with the outside wall, while Elliott’s car swerved left, precipitating the collision.
The crash involved 12 cars in total. Hamlin accused Elliott of a deliberate maneuver on a straightaway, sparking the crash, a claim that Elliott refuted. The incident prompted the seventh caution of the night, necessitating an extensive cleanup. Unfortunately, the aftermath rendered both drivers incapable of continuing the race. The race concluded with Chase Elliott securing a 9th-place finish, while Denny Hamlin was notably absent from the top 10. Elliott was eventually suspended for the next race for his retaliation
6. Final lap wreck at Talladega behind Ryan Blaney’s photo finish
While many remember the race for Blaney’s 0.012-second margin, there was a “Talladega” style that happened behind them that has been forgotten. In the climactic laps of the YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Kevin Harvick and Blaney strategically battled for the lead. As the final lap unfolded, Harvick, propelled by William Byron on the inside, aimed to thwart Blaney on the outside, orchestrated by Riley Herbst . Harvick’s attempt to block, however, created a narrow gap, enabling Blaney to skillfully maneuver between Harvick’s Ford and Byron’s Chevrolet.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted behind them as Riley Herbst, nudged by Corey LaJoie , triggered a massive pileup involving Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Chandler Smith, and others. Despite Harvick’s calculated efforts, LaJoie’s contact with Herbst disrupted the drafting dynamics, depriving Harvick of the push needed to edge past Blaney at the finish line. Harvick was eventually disqualified from runner-up spot and Blaney’s triumph secured his progression into the playoffs’ Round of 8.
5. NASCAR’s overlooked crash at Las Vegas
In the closing laps of the Las Vegas Cup Series race, chaos ensued as AJ Allmendinger faced a violent crash on the last lap. While William Byron led the pack, Allmendinger, among a cluster of cars, spun sideways, narrowly avoiding a collision with the inside wall. Ryan Preece, unfortunately, collided with Allmendinger’s driver-side door, triggering a series of spins and crashes involving multiple cars, including Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell , Erik Jones , Brad Keselowski, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Dillon.
Despite the severity of the incident, NASCAR controversially opted not to deploy a caution, allowing the race to conclude under green conditions. NASCAR’s Senior VP of Competition, Elton Sawyer, explained, citing a desire to finish races under green. However, the official version contradicts the replay, revealing an inaccurate depiction of the incident’s timing and impact, sparking frustration among fans over NASCAR’s perceived inconsistency and negligence.
4. Texas multi-car wreck
At the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, a pivotal incident unfolded, ensnaring prominent drivers, notably Blaney and AJ Allmendinger. Blaney faced adversity when a pit road speeding penalty on Lap 211 pushed them to the rear upon restart. Despite Blaney’s attempts to maneuver through traffic, a formidable six-car pileup curtailed his race prematurely.
The turmoil unfolded on a straightaway in the final 10 laps, plunging the race into widespread chaos. Consequently, the crash triggered the deployment of the ultimate yellow flag, concluding the event. Blaney criticized the circumstances leading to his collision, attributing it to the earlier speeding penalty. Remarkably, William Byron claimed victory, securing the 300th triumph for Hendrick Motorsports in the illustrious Cup Series.
3. Brad Keselowski’s 10-minute stoppage crash at Talladega
The Yellawood 500 makes it to the list once again for the multi-car wreck that prompted a 10-minute halt. Brad Keselowski’s ill-fated nudge on Carson Hocevar during Lap 162 set off a calamitous chain reaction. This chaotic spectacle ensnared Ty Gibbs , Austin Dillon, and Keselowski himself, demanding an extended cleanup and a red flag suspension, encapsulating the unpredictability of Talladega racing.
Keselowski, once a strong contender in the 2023 YellaWood 500 NASCAR Cup Series race, found himself entangled in the mayhem. Despite the dramatic crash, all drivers emerged unharmed, undergoing evaluations at the infield care center. Keselowski expressed remorse for the incident that prematurely ended his race and dropped him to the playoff cutline. The crash, marred Keselowski’s otherwise commendable race, where he qualified fifth and clinched Stage 2 victory before the untimely incident.
2. Coke Zero 400 multi-car wrecks at Daytona
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway witnessed a gripping moment as a massive multi-car wreck unfolded, involving 16 cars. The collision, triggered by Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, set off a chain reaction that saw Ryan Blaney’s car forcefully collide head-on with the retaining wall. The crash drew eerie parallels to a poignant moment in NASCAR history—the 2001 Daytona 500 and the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt Sr.
The subsequent wreckage entangled several drivers, including Ricky Stenhouse Jr ., Alex Bowman, A.J. Allmendinger, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher , Harrison Burton, Kyle Larson, and Riley Herbst. The red flag was displayed as track crews efficiently cleared the debris. Despite the chaotic scene, all 12 drivers involved emerged remarkably unharmed, highlighting the effectiveness of safety measures in NASCAR.
1. Ryan Preece goes airborne at Daytona
The Daytona race claims the spotlight with a harrowing incident involving Ryan Preece on Lap 189. Preece lost control of his No. 41 Ford Mustang, initiating a sequence of events that saw the car slide sideways into the infield and subsequently flip multiple times, eventually landing in the grass. The airborne episode witnessed Preece’s vehicle somersaulting an astounding 10 times in the air, making contact with the ground three times before coming to a rest.
The crash unfolded when Preece, after a forceful push by Erik Jones, was turned around. The situation was exacerbated as Chase Briscoe, his teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing, collided with Preece’s left side, propelling the car into the grass and triggering the dramatic aerial sequence.
Following the incident, Preece received medical attention at Halifax Medical Center, where he spent the night before being discharged on Sunday morning. Despite the severity of the crash, Preece received clearance to compete in the subsequent Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.