Chase Elliott entered Richmond last weekend with an impressive streak of 27 consecutive races without a Did Not Finish (DNF), extending from the end of the previous season through the first 24 races of 2025. Alongside this, he maintained a strong record of 23 consecutive top-20 finishes to start the year, which had only ended recently at Watkins Glen. However, at Richmond, <a href="https://www.big14news.com/tag/kyle-busch/”>Kyle Busch’s involvement in a crash brought Elliott’s flawless streak to an abrupt end.
Crash Details: How the Wreck Unfolded
The incident took place during a restart when Chase Briscoe slowed unexpectedly and moved into Kyle Busch’s lane, triggering a massive 12-car pileup on the front stretch. Elliott, running just behind the unfolding chaos, believed he could avoid the crash. Unfortunately, Busch, seemingly unaware of Elliott’s position in the pack, clipped the rear bumper of Elliott’s No. 9 car, sending him forcefully into the wall and forcing Elliott out of the race.
Elliott Addresses the Aftermath and Busch’s Apology
Despite the disappointing end to his race, Elliott expressed no anger toward Kyle Busch. He acknowledged that Busch reached out to apologize for the incident.
“He apologized for what happened. I don’t have any differing opinion on it. I was never mad at him. I knew it was a mistake right when I saw it. It sucks and I hate it,”
Elliott said regarding the wreck’s impact on his race and season goals.
He added that the crash ruined both their night and Elliott’s pursuit of the regular-season championship, but made it clear he did not believe Busch’s actions were intentional.
“It obviously killed our night and our regular-season championship hopes, kind of all at the same time. But I knew it was nothing that he (Busch) did on purpose. It wasn’t anything aimed at us. It was just the way that it all went down, and unfortunately, we were on the bad end of it…”
He didn’t realize we were all coming by down there on the bottom. Obviously, he just got through the wreck like a lot of us who had kind of been in it.
In addition, a tweet from reporter Steven Taranto confirmed Busch’s apology and Elliott’s understanding reaction:
“
Chase Elliott said today that Kyle Busch reached out to apologize for the contact that ended Elliott’s race and regular season title hopes that Richmond. Seems like Kyle was just getting his bearings and didn’t realize other cars were coming through on the bottom.
”
—Steven Taranto, Reporter
Impact on Elliott’s Season and Standing
The crash resulted in Elliott finishing last among 38 cars at Richmond, marking his second consecutive finish outside the top 20. Before this incident, Elliott had completed all but one lap during the season, with the sole exception being a minor one-lap deficit at Bristol.
Prior to the Richmond race, Elliott was positioned second in the Cup standings, trailing William Byron by 42 points. After the wreck and early exit, his chances of reclaiming the regular-season title during the upcoming Daytona finale now appear slim.
Looking Ahead: Championship Hopes Dim After Richmond Crash
Chase Elliott’s Richmond accident has dealt a severe blow to his regular-season championship aspirations, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the Cup series and the fine margins separating success and setback. Despite the harsh outcome, Elliott’s acceptance of Kyle Busch’s apology and lack of ill will suggest a focus on moving forward rather than lingering on the misfortune. The coming races, especially the Daytona finale, will reveal whether Elliott can recover and contend as the season reaches its climax.
