On February 15, 2026, Chase Elliott, driving the #9 Chevy Camaro ZL1 for Hendrick Motorsports, experienced a devastating finish at the Daytona 500 held at Daytona International Speedway. Despite leading late in the race, Elliott’s hopes of victory were dashed by a last-lap wreck, which he addressed with understated humor during a post-race interview with Kelly Crandall.
Elliott started the 200-lap event in ninth position and steadily advanced toward the front of the field. He took the lead after Carson Hocevar was caught in a crash on the final lap, but before Elliott could cross the finish line, unexpected events unfolded that ended his run for the win.
Final Laps See Drama Among 23XI Racing Drivers
The 23XI Racing team drivers Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst showcased strong teamwork in the closing moments. Herbst pushed Reddick forward as they challenged Elliott’s lead. However, the #35 Toyota driven by Reddick lost control and collided with Elliott’s #9 Chevy, triggering a crash just seconds before the #45 Toyota crossed the finish line.
Reflecting on the chaotic finish and his interaction with Reddick, Elliott shared his thoughts with the media:
“I just felt like I was going to get crashed if I had tried to throw another move on him,” Elliott said of his chase with Reddick. I feel like the best play for me was to try and re-rack and try to get one last shove to the line. But it was the 35, and he wasn’t going to push me, so… then he winds up crashing himself, not pushing me, which then in turn crashed me anyway.”
“Maybe I should have just turned left, wrecked the first time,” Elliott concluded.
Tyler Reddick secured his first Daytona 500 victory in this intense race, while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished second, Joey Logano took third place, and Chase Elliott came in fourth.
Chase Elliott’s Decision Regarding the All-American 400
Several months earlier, in November 2025, Elliott discussed his absence from the All-American 400 during an interview with Steven Taranto. Although interested in competing after the conclusion of the 2025 Cup Series season, Elliott learned that the team had already committed to Jake Garcia as their driver for that event.
Elliott explained his situation, saying:
“I don’t, honestly, right now. We had talked about the All-American at a couple different points, but I think it was after you mentioned it to me, actually, because I had no idea. Typically it was always like in early October or mid-October, and our season’s always been going on. But anyways, I inquired about it. I had interest. I love the Fairgrounds.”
“Jake was pretty committed to doing it and wanted to do it. He had kind of got there first. That was totally fine. But I don’t have any plans or really haven’t talked about anything past that,” he concluded.
During the All-American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Jake Garcia encountered a significant wreck but managed to recover and finish third. Despite this strong showing, Garcia’s winning streak in 2025 did not continue.
The Impact of the Daytona 500 Outcome and Looking Forward
The dramatic conclusion at the 2026 Daytona 500 highlighted the unpredictability and intense competition inherent in NASCAR racing. For Chase Elliott, the race was a blend of strategic driving and unfortunate circumstances, underscoring the fine line between victory and disappointment on the track. Meanwhile, Tyler Reddick’s triumph marked a significant milestone in his career, positioning him as a rising star in the sport.
Elliott’s candid reflections and calm demeanor amid the setback illustrate his composed approach to racing challenges. As the Cup Series progresses, fans and teams will be watching closely to see how these drivers respond to the shifting dynamics and intense rivalries that define NASCAR.
Chase Elliott didn't want to throw one too many blocks on Tyler Reddick and end up wrecked. Then came along Riley Herbst:
"He wasn't going to push me. Then he winds up crashing himself not pushing me, which then in turn crashed me anyway." pic.twitter.com/q1ePt2Yd9X
— Kelly Crandall (@KellyCrandall) February 15, 2026
