Massive Daytona 500 Crash Takes Out Several Cars In Final Laps

In typical Daytona 500 fashion, the Big One struck with nine laps to go Monday night. 

It wasn't a matter of if, but when. And, buddy, when took out a bunch of automobiles. 

With Ross Chastain leading coming to the start/finish line with nine laps to go in the 66th Daytona 500, chaos struck at the front of the field when Alex Bowman shoved Hendrick teammate William Bryon. 

Friendly fire, I reckon. 

That led to mayhem on the front-stretch when Byron made a hard right … right into the back of Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and 2023 Cup champion Ryan Blaney. 

Daytona 500 Big One hits with nine laps to go

Again, it's not if, but when. Never fails. 

It was a relatively tame Daytona 500 until then, with only one big wreck wreaking havoc way back during Stage 1. 

Chase Elliott won Stage 2 in pretty orderly fashion, and then everyone played nice for the first 30 laps of the final stage.

Unlike the Daytona weather – the weekend cold-front finally arrived around mid-day Monday – the racing heated up late Monday. 

Three-wide racing made up the majority of the final stage, with several drivers making several dicey moves. 

With nine to go and Chastain leading, the Big One finally hit, thanks to a shove from Alex Bowman. 

The Hendrick driver got Byron – his Hendrick teammate – loose, which led to the massive wreck and an ensuing red flag. 

All drivers got out of their cars under their own power, although Blaney appeared to wince in pain during the wreck. 

Frankly, I can't blame him.