The is legendary for a wide range of causes. For one, it’s the “Nice American Race,” a kickoff to the season in mid-February. Inventory vehicles attain prime pace at full throttle for all the 500 miles. It is likely one of the few tracks that goes full throttle the entire means round, making it an elite superspeedway.
Most notoriously, Daytona is understood for the “Huge One,” a multi-car wreck that inevitably occurs yearly.
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At a superspeedway, vehicles will get three or four-wide at numerous factors in the course of the race. Whenever you pack vehicles tightly collectively, transfer round soiled air, and do it whereas touring at almost 200 miles per hour, wrecks will occur.
The “Huge One” has affected many race outcomes prior to now, making the Daytona 500 an occasion with a component of luck along with talent.
Listed below are essentially the most memorable wrecks of latest historical past.
2025: Ryan Preece Flips Into the Wall
Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, flips in the course of the NASCAR Cup Collection Daytona 500.James Gilbert/Getty Photographs
(James Gilbert/Getty Photographs)
Ryan Preece frightened many when a yr in the past. This occurred after Cole Custer hit the again bumper of Christopher Bell, and Preece was subsequently shot up, caught by air, and flipped into the infield.
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with Fox Sports activities, Preece urged NASCAR to make the automotive safer, particularly on windy days. “When the automotive took off like that, it obtained actual quiet, and all I thought of was my daughter. I am fortunate to stroll away, however we’re actually near any person not with the ability to,” he mentioned.
This was the second time in three years that Preece wrecked badly on the Daytona 500.
2024: Ross Chastain Crashes Out on Final Lap
Because the vehicles approached the white flag, Ross Chastain took his draft and tried to beat William Bryon down on the underside approaching flip 4. On the identical time, Austin Cindric got here up above the yellow double-line and thus, .
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This stripped followers of an excellent closing lap as they’d handed the road, and Byron gained the Daytona 500.
2023: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Wins After Warning Flag
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. gained the Daytona 500 below the yellow. On the ultimate lap, Stenhouse Jr. and battled for the victory. Sadly for race followers, Austin Dillon would create a wreck, creating the “” and flashing the yellow flag to finish the race.
Followers have questioned the yellow-flag endings to races, however they’re thought of the fairest for all concerned.
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2021: Teammates Collide on Last Lap
Teammates, and Brad Keselowski, would catch one another on the ultimate lap. As Logano led, Keselowski took the draft too far up into Logano’s lane.
Although the teammates wrecked, blood didn’t spoil. As an alternative, they congratulated on his long-shot victory because the beneficiary.
2020: Ryan Newman’s Automobile Flips, Slides on Its Head
One of many scariest wrecks that Daytona has seen victimized Ryan Newman. His automotive would flip onto its head and slide down the entrance flip. This resulted in a bruised mind for Newman.
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Although he hung out away from racing, he got here again later within the yr. Now, Newman has the as a “trophy,” taking it as a logo of his racing ardour and the dangers that drivers take.
2015: Austin Dillon Fortunate to Be Alive After Violent Checkered Flag Crash
Austin Dillon would undergo one other scary wreck on the checkered flag of the Daytona 500. As Joey Logano crossed the end line, Dillon took a bunch of vehicles with him in a post-finish “Huge One.”
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His automotive flew up into the netting, catching a fan with particles. This led to a lawsuit, and NASCAR has since applied extra security measures.
2012: Sudden Fireplace Delays Race for two Hours
Much less regular of a wreck, this was one of the well-known wrecks in latest historical past. Underneath warning, Juan Pablo-Montoya would undergo a structural difficulty. On the backstretch, his automotive would acquire a jet drier, setting it on fireplace.
This put the race below a two-hour pink flag as 200 gallons of gasoline incapacitated the observe.
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This story was initially revealed by on Feb 6, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a
