Daytona 500 chaos: ‘Big One’ erupts as leader triggers 20-car pile-up
The Great American Race descended into turmoil as a controversial move decimated the field just past the halfway mark.
Justin Allgaier ignited a catastrophic 20-car crash at the Daytona 500, destroying Denny Hamlin’s hopes of a fourth title after a defensive block went drastically wrong.
The chaotic scenes unfolded when Allgaier, piloting a car fielded by Dale Earnhardt Jr, attempted a desperate manoeuvre to retain his position.
As Hamlin looked to surge past on the outside, the race leader threw a late block that squeezed the Toyota veteran into the wall.
That contact sparked a massive chain reaction with just seven laps remaining in the second stage of NASCAR’s season opener.
Championship contenders caught in carnage
Hamlin, aiming to join an elite club of four-time winners at the Speedway, spun helplessly into the infield grass.
The wreckage claimed a host of significant contenders, abruptly ending the afternoon for former champion Michael McDowell and Hendrick Motorsports’ Alex Bowman.
Shane van Gisbergen, Ross Chastain, Erik Jones and John Hunter Nemechek were also swept up in the melee.
Wallace profits from owner’s misfortune
Amidst the destruction, Bubba Wallace managed to navigate his way through the twisted metal unscathed.
The 23XI Racing driver subsequently took the lead to win the stage under caution.
There was a bitter irony to the result, as Wallace drives for the team co-owned by Hamlin and NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Weather worries and early drama
Race officials had earlier moved the start time forward by an hour to avoid forecast afternoon showers.
The tension was palpable from the start for William Byron, who is attempting to become the first driver in history to win the Daytona 500 three consecutive years.
Already in a backup car following a qualifying crash, the defending champion hit the wall in the opening laps after B.J. McLeod spun ahead of him.
Kyle Busch also faced pressure, leading the field to the green flag as he looked to break the race’s longest active losing streak after 20 failed attempts.