During the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season, Chase Elliott’s campaign was marked not only by his pursuit of the championship but also by a highly charged crash with Kyle Busch at Darlington Raceway. In the closing laps of the Toyota 500 held in May, Busch’s car clipped Elliott’s, sending the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s No. 9 Chevrolet hard into the wall and forcing him to finish 38th. This collision sparked an immediate and visible reaction from Elliott, who stood next to the track and gave Busch a one-fingered gesture as the race continued under caution.
The two races held back-to-back at Darlington marked NASCAR’s return following the COVID-19 shutdown, making the intense clash between Elliott and Busch one of the most talked-about moments of the season. At the time of the crash, Elliott was running second behind Denny Hamlin and looked poised for a strong finish. Instead, the crash erased his chances for a podium, ending his night prematurely.
Understanding the Emotions Behind the Crash
Kyle Busch admitted immediately that he was at fault, explaining that he misjudged the gap while attempting to maneuver back into line. Kevin Harvick, who finished third in the race, described the incident as unintentional. Elliott’s on-track frustration contrasted sharply with his later comments, which reflected respect despite the impact of the crash.
“I really think it depends on the person. How much respect you either had or didn’t have for that person prior to that moment. In Kyle’s situation, Kyle and I have gotten along for many years. I feel like I’ve raced him with a lot of respect because I respect him,” —Chase Elliott
The clash unfolded during a critical moment as Busch’s miscalculation sent Elliott spinning into the wall. While Busch managed to finish second and Hamlin claimed the victory, Elliott’s reaction was fueled by the frustration of losing a potential top finish. Even with the visible anger, Elliott restrained from escalating the situation further and emphasized the importance of Busch’s apology in maintaining a foundation of respect between them.
“It’d be kind of hard to fight when you have to stay six feet apart. My arms aren’t long enough,” —Chase Elliott
Turning a Setback Into Championship Success
Despite the setback at Darlington, Chase Elliott demonstrated remarkable resilience. Following the incident, he recorded four top-five finishes across the next six races, including victories at Charlotte and Daytona. These performances helped him build momentum heading into the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, where his form escalated even further.
In the postseason stretch, Elliott achieved three wins in the final five races, concluding the season by capturing the championship at Phoenix. He outpaced strong competitors such as Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano to secure his first Cup Series title. That tumultuous crash earlier in the year with Kyle Busch became just a brief chapter in what turned into a defining and victorious season for Elliott.
Meanwhile, Busch was eliminated in the Round of 8. The rivalry between the two drivers has continued, with moments of on-track tension, such as at Richmond in 2025 where Busch prevented Elliott’s bid for the regular-season crown. Nonetheless, the underlying respect remains, preventing their rivalry from devolving into bitterness within the NASCAR garage.
