Bubba Wallace appeared to cause a large crash at Daytona on Saturday night that ended up involving 12 cars, including notable playoff contenders like Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. The incident drew widespread attention due to the involvement of several high-profile drivers and the chaotic nature of the wreck.
Initial observations suggested that Wallace slid down the track, made contact with Joey Logano, and then collected Kyle Busch, which ignited the multi-car crash. However, a critical aspect gaining traction is the role of Kyle Larson, a Hendrick Motorsports driver, who was closely following Wallace right before the slide.
The Debate Over Larson’s Involvement and Racing Incidents at Superspeedways
Kyle Larson’s proximity to Bubba Wallace just before the incident led to questions about whether Larson’s contact contributed to the crash. Wallace himself admitted to Larson’s close presence during his post-race interview. Despite this, Denny Hamlin, Wallace’s team owner, later defended Larson, stating that he should not be held responsible for any actions detrimental to others.
Jeff Gluck, co-host of the podcast Door Bumper Clear, commented on the wreck’s cause, emphasizing Larson’s potential influence. Gluck pointed out that Larson’s slight bump created the instability that triggered Wallace’s slide into Logano and others.
“I don’t know that you’re wrecking without the Kyle Larson contact because when I went back and saw Larson’s incar, he bumps you guys a little bit. That’s the wiggle and you were so close to the #22, you wiggle enough into him. And that’s what triggers it,” Gluck said. — Jeff Gluck, Teardown Co-host
Gluck framed most superspeedway crashes as racing incidents rather than mistakes, noting the difficulty in assigning blame on tracks like Daytona. He contrasted this with intermediate track wrecks, where errors are easier to isolate.
“It’s a copout to say on all these that ah it’s just a racing deal because everybody wants to assign blame, but so many of them are a racing deal,” he added. — Jeff Gluck, Teardown Co-host
Where Crashes Are Most Likely at Daytona and Why the Tri-Oval Is So Dangerous
Tommy Baldwin, another Door Bumper Clear co-host, weighed in on the specific Daytona track locations most prone to crashes, identifying three critical spots where contact is especially hazardous for drivers.
Baldwin identified the tri-oval as the most dangerous area due to the lowest downforce levels on the cars in that section, making vehicle control more difficult. The other risky spots include the section just off Turn 4, where drivers often face wind challenges while trying to accelerate, and the off Turn 2 area, which is also notably prone to incidents.
Importantly, the big wreck involving Wallace unfolded in the tri-oval, reinforcing Baldwin’s point about its extreme risk.
“I think looking back at that, I think it started with the #12 coming up a little bit and I bet he got out of gas a little bit and slowed that pack down a little bit and they’re coming and that’s where your trouble started,” Baldwin described. — Tommy Baldwin, Door Bumper Clear Co-Host
The Significance of Understanding the Crash Dynamics at Daytona
The discussion around Kyle Larson’s impact on the wreck triggered by Bubba Wallace opens a broader conversation about how crashes happen at superspeedways like Daytona. The tightly packed formations, minimal margins for error, and unique aerodynamic conditions create scenarios where even slight contact can cause a chain reaction.
While assigning direct blame remains difficult, this incident highlights the tension between driver responsibility and the inherent risks of racing in such challenging environments. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for drivers and teams as they aim to navigate future races more safely, especially with playoff implications on the line.
