A miscue at the front of the pack in Sunday’s Daytona 500 triggered a 20-car accident that sent several victory contenders to the garage.
Those who were eliminated from the 200-lap race were Justin Allgaier, Todd Gilliland, and Alex Bowman. Two drivers lost multiple laps while repairs were made. They were Shane van Gisbergen and Austin Cindric. Prior to the accident, Allgaier and van Gisbergen had each led three laps.
The crash occurred on the front stretch of the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway on lap 124 when leader Justin Allgaier moved up the track and into the path of Denny Hamlin, who was being shoved by Ryan Blaney.
“Unfortunately, I’m going to take 100% responsibility for that one,” Allgaier said after exiting the infield care center. “I got to the top there and I really watched the run coming on the top with Denny, and I thought he was going to push. I felt like the lane was closed up just enough that he wouldn’t try to go out there (to the wall), and when I realized he was going to go out there (to the right side), it was just too late. Once the air got on the right rear spoiler, it just kept me turned to the right.
“I’ll watch this video back a lot and figure out what I could have done better. I hate it for everybody who got caught up in it. It really stinks.”
Others who were involved in the accident but were able to continue in the event were Ross Chastain, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, William Byron, Riley Herbst, Zane Smith, Cole Custer, Erik Jones, Ty Gibbs, Corey Heim, and Michael McDowell.