During Stage 2 of Sunday’s Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway, Ty Gibbs encountered a terrifying moment when flames erupted from beneath his No. 54 Toyota on Lap 84. The crash, involving Gibbs and Josh Berry of Wood Brothers Racing, unfolded as the field raced into Turn 3, highlighting the risks of the aggressive pack racing seen in this event.
Sequence Leading to the Crash and Fire
The opening stage proceeded with minimal incidents, but tensions rose in Stage 2 as drivers tightened their packs and increased their competitiveness. Gibbs found himself running high along the outside wall between Alex Bowman’s No. 48 and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin’s No. 11. At this point, Gibbs was side-by-side with Berry’s No. 21 Ford, both maneuvering for position approaching Turn 3.
As Berry lifted slightly entering the corner, his car made contact with the left-rear quarter panel of Gibbs’ Toyota. This collision triggered Gibbs to spin down the track, colliding first with fellow Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell on the low lane. Subsequently, Gibbs’ car rebounded across the track, striking the outside wall before further contact with Berry caused Berry’s vehicle to spin as well.
Gibbs’ car then slid into the infield grass where thick flames appeared beneath it, likely fueled by leaking fuel or fluids. Prompt reaction by safety crews quickly brought the fire under control, while Gibbs was able to exit the vehicle with help from track personnel. He was examined at the Atlanta Motor Speedway’s infield care center and released without serious injury.
Reactions from Drivers Involved in the Incident
Josh Berry began the race in 10th position and finished Stage 1 in 11th, while Ty Gibbs started 25th and was advancing before the accident abruptly ended his night. Both drivers were forced to retire from the race due to damage sustained during the crash.
“Yeah, it was like, when I saw it was like that high, they sprayed it, and I got out, and I stood right on it. I didn’t know it was a fire…. (I’d have felt it) maybe if I sat there longer .” – Ty Gibbs
Berry described the collision as part of the demanding and close-quarters racing style typical at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“It looked like I faded up a little bit to give the 20 room, and Ty went to make a move. It looked like we just got together, racing the old Atlanta. In this style of racing, I think all of us just want to make it out with a decent finish. We were able to do that last week. We were able to do that in duels. But, not so lucky this time,” he added. – Josh Berry
While some drivers, including Denny Hamlin, managed to continue despite damage, both Gibbs and Berry recorded Did Not Finish results in the second race of the 2026 season. Following the restart, additional incidents affected other competitors like Riley Herbst and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who fell multiple laps down.
Implications of the Crash and Fire at EchoPark Speedway
The fiery crash involving Ty Gibbs underscores the dangers inherent in tightly packed racing and the high stakes of the NASCAR competitive environment. Quick response by safety crews and the ability of Gibbs to exit the vehicle unscathed highlight continued improvements in driver safety measures. However, incidents like this reveal the fine balance drivers must manage between aggression and caution amid intense competition.
As the 2026 NASCAR season progresses, teams and drivers will likely analyze this event for lessons on racing tactics and vehicle durability. The incident also serves as a reminder of the ever-present risks within motorsports, reinforcing the importance of safety innovations and adherence to rigorous protocols at venues like EchoPark Speedway.
Fire under the No. 54 machine. Ty Gibbs is out of the car. https://t.co/JiNOBglq4z pic.twitter.com/Jqz9X0K4Z3
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 22, 2026
