On lap 69 during the early part of Atlanta’s second stage, chaos erupted in a massive crash. John Hunter Nemeshek, who was running in the top 10, was forced up against the wall after a bump from Denny Hamlin on the backstretch. The car soon spun, causing a huge pile-up that involved 23 vehicles, leading NASCAR to halt the race for an extended cleanup.
The wreck turned the track into a debris field, and several drivers, including Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Corey Lajoie, Austin Cindric, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Daniel Suarez, Noah Gragson, and Josh Berry, had to retire from the race due to serious damage to their trucks. Corey Lajoie, who has been competing in a part-time schedule this year, expressed his frustration, describing how he got caught up in the crash despite not being part of the initial pushing.
Joey Logano, who started the race from pole position, was unable to continue and remarked on how chaotic the crash was, calling it a “speedway wreck” occurring in the wrong place. Meanwhile, Briscoe, the winner at Pocono just a week earlier, was uncertain about the extent of his damage but noted the team was ready to continue before the crash ended his race.
Fan Take: This massive crash is a stark reminder of how unpredictable and intense NASCAR races can be, especially at high-speed tracks like Atlanta. For fans, moments like these add drama but also raise concerns about safety; for the sport, it emphasizes the need for ongoing improvements to protect drivers while keeping the competition thrilling.
