William Byron expressed deep frustration following a massive 23-car crash during Saturday’s Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway. The Hendrick Motorsports driver was caught up in the incident on lap 69 while running fourth, highlighting his disappointment with the aggressive driving that led to one of the largest wrecks in recent history. This event underscored Byron’s growing dissatisfaction with the driving standards in this race series.
Details of the Incident That Triggered the Crash
The pileup began with contact between Hunter Nemechek and Denny Hamlin, quickly escalating as more cars became entangled. The resulting chaos affected over half of the race field, ending many drivers’ chances and forcing a substantial cleanup and a red flag to pause the competition. Byron was among several prominent drivers including Kyle Larson, Carson Hocevar, and Joey Logano who were involved and suffered significant setbacks.
Byron’s Comparison of Driving Standards in NASCAR
Byron did not hold back in his criticism, comparing the Cup Series driving on the restart to that of the Truck Series, an implied lower standard in his eyes. He voiced frustration at the unnecessary risk during restarts, emphasizing that drivers should avoid causing crashes when the race is still early, and positions can still be regained over the long stage.
So I dunno why we crashed the whole field trying to get up to speed. We look like a Truck Series or something.
—William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports driver
He elaborated on the confusion around the crash, pointing out the lack of visibility and the difficulty in avoiding the wreck once it started.
There wasn’t really a whole lot I could see,
Byron explained.
We were just running a great race in the top five. They all stacked up and at that point, I went right a little bit; the wreck was already happening and I just kind of got shoved into it.
—William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Impact on Drivers and Race Outcome
The crash sidelined several key competitors including Joey Logano, Corey LaJoie, Austin Cindric, and Chase Briscoe, who were forced behind the wall. Ten out of the 23 cars involved did not return to the track, significantly altering the race dynamics. Byron ultimately finished 37th, a disappointing result after a strong performance in the early stages at the drafting-heavy track.
Byron Calls for Safer Restart Practices
Reflecting on the aggressive maneuvers seen during the restart, Byron urged drivers to be more cautious when accelerating back to racing speed. He acknowledged the normal jockeying for position but stressed that it should not lead to crashes involving the entire field. His comments convey a call for improved driving discipline to prevent similar incidents in future races.
I don’t really know what was going on. We were getting up to speed and everyone was throwing a lot of blocks or something, I don’t know.
—William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports driver
Significance and Future Implications of the Crash
This crash at EchoPark Speedway highlights ongoing concerns about driving behavior in NASCAR’s Cup Series, especially during restarts that can lead to large multi-car incidents. Byron’s outspoken criticism may prompt teams and officials to reconsider rules and strategies to ensure safer races. The fallout from such wrecks not only impacts driver safety but also affects competition and championship battles as key contenders lose valuable track time.