During the 68th Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin and JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier collided in a battle for the lead just before the end of the race’s second stage. This incident triggered a massive crash that involved 20 cars, impacting several top contenders and altering the competition drastically.
Details on the Lead Battle and Crash
Justin Allgaier was leading from the high lane before moving down to block Denny Hamlin’s advance coming from the top. The No. 40 Chevrolet never fully cleared the No. 11 Toyota, resulting in contact that caused the large pileup. The crash removed many strong contenders from the fight for victory, signaling a major moment in the race.
Kevin Harvick Comments on the Incident
Kevin Harvick, providing commentary for Fox Sports, described Hamlin’s move as aggressive but did not assign blame to the three-time Daytona 500 champion.
This is an aggressive move by Denny Hamlin in a tight spot, but he’s there,
Harvick said during the broadcast.
I think some of that [from Allgaier] is not racing this car all the time. Different pace of racing, different style of racing.
Allgaier’s Experience and Its Impact
Though Allgaier finished ninth in the 2025 Daytona 500, his first start in the event since 2015, he primarily races full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for JR Motorsports. With 16 seasons in this series and 11 behind the No. 7 Chevrolet, his lack of recent experience at the top NASCAR level may have contributed to the collision. Unfortunately, nearly half of the 41-car field suffered consequences from the crash triggered by their entanglement.
Significance of the Crash for the Race
This incident reshaped the competition at the Daytona 500, eliminating many favorites and emphasizing the high stakes of close racing at the World Center of Racing. The multi-car pileup will likely influence team strategies heading into the final stage, as drivers adjust to the unexpected shake-up caused by the wreck involving Denny Hamlin and Justin Allgaier.
