At the 2026 Daytona 500, Brad Keselowski’s bid for a race win came to an abrupt end due to a major crash involving multiple drivers. The incident, which occurred near the end of the race, involved Riley Herbst and effectively eliminated Keselowski’s chances for victory. Following the crash, Keselowski openly criticized Herbst’s reckless maneuver, calling it one of the most foolish moves he has seen in his racing career. The RFK Racing driver expressed his frustration over the stunt, which caused him to lose momentum and take himself out of contention.
Keselowski had been performing strongly, contesting with Tyler Reddick for the lead as the final laps unfolded. His progress was cut short when Herbst’s aggressive block triggered a crash that collected over 20 vehicles, abruptly ending Keselowski’s pursuit of a first Daytona 500 win. Despite Justin Allgaier admitting some responsibility for the incident, Keselowski singled out Herbst’s move as particularly reckless and unnecessary.
The 35 [Herbst] just wrecked me out of nowhere for no reason, That was one of the dumbest things I have ever seen. He had no chance of blocking my run. I had a huge run — I don’t know if I could have gotten to the 45, but I would have liked to have found out because my run was coming fast and the 35 just wrecked us and himself. Pretty stupid.
Brad Keselowski told John Newby of Savage Ventures.
Looking back, Keselowski lamented missing the chance to see how the race might have unfolded without the crash, underlining the frustration of ending the event without breaking his winless streak that has persisted since the start of the year. As he evaluates his performance, he aims to understand what improvements he can make moving forward in the NASCAR season.
Keselowski Reflects on Recovery and Performance Despite the Setback
Keselowski’s return to racing at Daytona came after a recent knee injury sustained during a skiing trip, which forced him to miss the Bowman Gray Clash. Having secured his NASCAR license only days before the Daytona weekend, the driver admitted that simply competing at this level was an achievement given his limited preparation and physical challenges. With little practice time behind the wheel, Keselowski believed his overall race showing was commendable, even if the ending was far from ideal.
I’m proud to make it this far, a few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if I was gonna be able to run this race. To run this race and get an opportunity to win it, that feels pretty good. I’m just disappointed to not bring it home. At the end, it’s a roll of the dice of who’s going to wreck who, who’s going to make good moves and bad moves, and the dice didn’t fully roll our way.
Brad Keselowski noted.
Despite the disappointment in the final moments of the Daytona 500, Keselowski finished the race in a respectable fifth place. This solid result allowed him to earn important points as the 2026 NASCAR season gets underway. Fully recovered now, he is turning his focus to the upcoming AutoTrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway, aiming to build on this strong start.
Implications of the Crash for the Race and the Season Ahead
The ‘Big One’ crash at Daytona, described vividly by Keselowski, was a defining moment of the race, drastically altering the outcome for many drivers, including top contenders like Keselowski and Herbst himself. Tyler Reddick eventually claimed the Daytona 500 win, celebrating a major victory while others, such as Keselowski, were left processing the fallout of the final-lap incident.
Keselowski’s blunt condemnation of Herbst’s racing tactics highlights ongoing tensions and the high stakes present in NASCAR competitions, where split-second decisions can make or break entire races. The severity of this crash illustrates how unpredictable and volatile plate racing at Daytona can be, with drivers walking a fine line between aggressive moves and costly mistakes.
Looking ahead, Keselowski’s experience serves as a reminder of the physical and mental resilience required in motorsports, especially when recently returning from injury. His ability to contend for top positions despite setbacks speaks to his skill and determination, setting the stage for an intense season as the battle for championships intensifies leading to the Phoenix finale.
#NASCAR – Brad Keselowski called Riley Herbst's attempted block on the final lap of the Daytona 500 one of the dumbest things he's ever seen.
"Pretty stupid." pic.twitter.com/PGp7RMdbj2— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) February 15, 2026
