During a critical restart with fewer than 100 laps remaining, Joey Logano was involved in a significant crash that impacted multiple drivers and their race outcomes. The incident unfolded at Phoenix, where Logano’s aggressive move led to a chain reaction affecting key competitors on the track.
Three Tire Strategies at the Restart Set the Stage
At the restart, three distinct tire strategies shaped the leaders’ positioning. The front row chose to stay out on their old tires, while the next two rows opted for two fresh tires each. Logano, starting seventh, was the first driver with four fresh tires, sitting directly behind Ross Chastain’s #1 Chevrolet. As the green flag waved and the field moved into the dogleg section, Logano aggressively bumped Chastain’s car.
This contact unsettled Chastain, causing his #1 Chevrolet to fishtail. Logano then collided with Chastain’s right rear, which sent the latter spinning sideways up the track, triggering a multi-car accident.
Big Collision Involves Several Drivers and Cars
The crash quickly escalated as Anthony Alfredo and Austin Cindric, caught with no clear path, slammed into the wreckage and the outer wall. Alfredo’s #48 Hendrick Chevrolet notably lifted all four wheels momentarily off the ground during the impact. Alfredo was substituting for Alex Bowman, who was sidelined with vertigo this week. The clash left heavy damage on all three vehicles, and Bubba Wallace also suffered left-side door damage. Chastain was able to keep racing but fell more than 25 laps behind the leaders.
Logano’s Race Ends Following Another Collision
After the initial crash, Logano expressed regret over the radio. However, his difficulties continued when, in a closely contested three-wide battle near the same track area, he made contact with A. J. Allmendinger, which caused Logano to spin. Sliding down to the apron before skidding back up, he collected Daniel Suarez and Josh Berry. All three drivers retired from the race as a result.
Reflecting on the incident after his race ended, Logano said,
“I’m not really 100% sure what happened there.”
He added,
“I guess I didn’t realize we were three-wide, but it still seemed like there was some room there. Just ran out of space into (Turn) 1. Just seemed like racing, I guess. It is what it is.”
Regarding the restart crash with Chastain, he stated,
“I didn’t mean to get Ross there on the restart. I had a run and he kind of went down to the bottom with me and gosh, it’s been a rough day. We had a good Mustang, probably a top three or four car, and it just really hurts to be here.”
Impact on Austin Cindric and Anthony Alfredo
The crash also had severe consequences for Austin Cindric and Anthony Alfredo. Both drivers experienced a violent collision amidst the chaos. Cindric described the moment by saying,
“A whole lot of cars going right when the cars need to be going left. It’s just a real shame. We had a really fast Ford Mustang.”
He further remarked,
“We got points in both stages and were in desperate need of a race finish without a crash and we did not get that today. It’s a shame because I felt like we did all the right things throughout the afternoon, so that’s racing. I’m not discouraged by any means. It’s a long season. My team has brought me four fast race cars to start the year.”
Wider Consequences for Drivers and Teams
The restart crash involving Joey Logano had immediate and significant repercussions, eliminating several competitive drivers from the race and causing substantial vehicle damage. Chastain, despite continuing, dropped deeply in the standings. The event highlighted the risks inherent in aggressive restarts, where the pursuit of position can lead to costly mistakes.
For Logano, a three-time series champion, the day’s events were a setback after demonstrating a strong car earlier. The incident also underscored the challenges faced by substitute drivers like Alfredo, who had to cope with the incident while filling in under difficult circumstances. As the NASCAR season progresses, teams will aim to regroup and recover from these heavy losses on the Phoenix track.
A huge hit for Austin Cindric and Anthony Alfredo. Here's what happened: https://t.co/huvLOzCVKe pic.twitter.com/XcKrb5F0YW
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 8, 2026
Seven cars involved in this one. Here's the replay: https://t.co/PYrBVZfyRa pic.twitter.com/MZVmQFX97N
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 8, 2026
What a hit. Ride with Austin Cindric and Anthony Alfredo during their crash in Phoenix: https://t.co/SADkE8Ftto pic.twitter.com/NWj197nVc2
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 8, 2026
