During the NASCAR Cup race at Loudon on Sunday, Cody Ware’s payback incident escalated into a crash that impacted the race’s flow. Around lap 63, Ware spun in front of race leader Ryan Blaney, who narrowly avoided a collision. The payback attempt unfolded as tensions rose between Ware and Austin Dillon after earlier contact between the two drivers.
Earlier in the race, Austin Dillon had made contact with Ware’s No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang, causing Ware to spin while running last. This was the first spark in their ongoing conflict, with Ware’s team expressing frustration over the radio, stating, “He just used us up.”
On-Track Tensions Lead to Second Collision Between Ware and Dillon
Over 200 laps later, the drivers crossed paths again under different circumstances. With 48 laps left, Ware was positioned 30th after several cars dropped out earlier, while Dillon was maneuvering for a top 15 finish. As Dillon attempted to lap Ware from the outside, the two collided once more in what appeared to be a deliberate act of retaliation.
Ware, running low on the track, moved upward in the middle of the corner and accelerated as they made contact, striking Dillon’s left rear. However, the payback backfired as Ware lost control, spun out, and slammed into the outside wall, sustaining heavy damage to his car’s front end. Dillon, meanwhile, escaped the incident unharmed.
Dillon voiced his frustration immediately over the radio, calling Ware an
“idiot”
and questioning his actions:
“Why is he out here? Does he think I tried to wreck him earlier?”
The No. 3 team believed Ware’s move was a failed retaliation attempt.
Race Impact and Aftermath of the Payback Incident
Ware’s involvement in the race was marked by being at the center of both the first and last cautions, weaving a chaotic thread through the event. Following the crash, Ware quietly apologized to his team over the radio and finished the race 31st, five laps behind the leaders. Ryan Blaney, despite the scare from Ware’s initial spin near him, went on to claim the race victory and secure his spot in the next playoff round.
This incident at Loudon highlighted the mounting frustrations and increased tensions between drivers, showing how payback attempts can have unintended consequences on race outcomes and driver safety. The repercussions of this crash may influence how rivalries are managed in the remaining NASCAR Cup season.
