The NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday at Mexico City’s famed Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez featured a dramatic and chaotic moment early in the event when former champions Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson became embroiled in a severe crash. Rain-soaked track conditions contributed to the incident, which occurred on the sixth lap and disrupted the rhythm of several drivers, marking a key turning point in the race dominated by Shane van Gisbergen’s commanding 17-second victory.
How Rain and Aggressive Racing Led to a Multi-Car Collision
Kyle Busch, driving the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, was navigating the slippery conditions aggressively as he approached Turn 1, hoping to capitalize on his solid positioning. However, the wet surface triggered a sudden hydroplaning that spun his car out of control. Consequently, Busch collided with vehicles driven by Kyle Larson, Justin Haley, and AJ Allmendinger, who were positioned ahead of him. The crash quickly escalated, involving Chase Briscoe and Zane Smith as well, severely impacting their races.
While many drivers were able to recover and continue, Busch’s car suffered terminal damage, forcing him to retire from the race. Kyle Larson’s crew at Hendrick Motorsports faced extensive repair work, managing to get him back on track but only after a significant delay that consumed roughly half the race.
Kyle Busch Reflects on the Incident and Takes Responsibility
Kyle Busch spoke candidly about the crash, explaining his decision-making in the rain-affected conditions. He described his effort to brake hard entering Turn 11, believing the track would hold given his experience earlier in the race. However, the car unexpectedly lost traction, which triggered the series of events leading to the collision.
“Just in the rain, I went down into (Turn) 11 and got on the brakes pretty hard and everything was fine. Everything was comfortable, it stopped really good, and I thought okay, I can be a little bit more aggressive this time. Getting back into one and went to the 10 marker, if there is a 10 marker, it’s the bridge, and we’ve been going much past the bridge all day on dries and so wet, I figured it’s going to be fine.” —Kyle Busch, Driver
Busch admitted fault in the incident, expressing regret about the outcome and the consequences for other competitors caught in the crash.
“As soon as I went to the brakes, it was just on ice, and I was sliding, and so about a second and a half or so, I was just trying to figure out which direction to go, and then I was like, I’ve got to turn this thing around backwards because I’m going to nail some people. So, I hate it for all those that were involved in my mishap there…” —Kyle Busch, Driver
Aftermath for Busch and Hendrick Motorsports Amidst Continued Race Challenges
Following the accident, Busch expressed frustration over how the situation unfolded for himself and his Richard Childress Racing team. The group had entered the race with confidence after a strong qualifying performance, only to have their strategy undermined by the rainy conditions. Watching Larson’s vehicle undergo extensive repairs and ultimately lose valuable track time added to Busch’s disappointment. Despite the setback, Busch remains committed to improving results in upcoming races.
“Hate it for Lucas Oil, and of course, RCR, ECR, the guys. I mean, the car yesterday in qualifying was really good, it felt like we were going to be really sporty in the dry. I hate that the rain came, and now it’s nice and dry, so just have to go fight for more points in another week.” —Kyle Busch, Driver
With NASCAR’s schedule moving toward a string of road course events over the next month—often considered unpredictable “wild card” races—teams like RCR and Hendrick Motorsports see these as opportunities to regain momentum. Given their struggles earlier this season, these upcoming contests will be critical for Busch and Larson to recover and contend.
Impact on Other Drivers and the Race Outcome
Besides the high-profile crash involving Busch and Larson, the early chaos touched several other drivers. Justin Haley, AJ Allmendinger, Chase Briscoe, and Zane Smith all had their races disrupted, losing position or momentum due to the collision. Despite obstacles, many competitors managed to return to the track, underscoring the resilience common in NASCAR events affected by sudden weather changes.
Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen capitalized on the shifting race landscape, delivering a dominant performance that secured him a victory by more than 17 seconds, an extraordinarily large margin in such a competitive field.
What the Incident Means for the Season’s Road Course Contention
This race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez reaffirms the unpredictable nature of NASCAR’s road course events, especially when compounded by inclement weather. For Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch, both former series champions, the incident is a significant hurdle in their campaigns. Larson’s lengthy repair time means lost laps and points, while Busch’s retirement compounds earlier season difficulties for his team.
Looking ahead, these challenges underscore the importance of strategic adjustments and cautious aggression on wet tracks. The coming races provide next opportunities to assess form and rebound, especially as road courses continue in the schedule. How Busch and Larson respond could influence playoff positioning and season trajectories for their respective teams.
