During Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Richmond Raceway, a major 12-car wreck on Lap 198 dramatically impacted the competition, notably ending Chase Elliott’s chances after a collision involving Kyle Busch. The crash occurred as Busch’s car made contact with Chase Briscoe‘s vehicle, triggering a chain reaction through the field and ultimately causing Elliott to crash into the outside wall.
The incident began when Busch rear-ended Briscoe in Turn 3, causing a pileup that affected numerous drivers. Elliott initially avoided the immediate aftermath but was soon turned by Busch as they exited Turn 4, resulting in a severe impact for Elliott against the wall.
Analysis of Busch’s Role in the Collision
Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace, addressed the wreck on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, emphasizing that Busch’s involvement did not appear deliberate, despite the chaotic scene on the track.
“That was a wild wreck. Kyle Busch’s give a f*ck broke for a minute there,” Kraft said. “The 5 [Kyle Larson] comes down on the 19 [Briscoe], I think the 19 was cutting the 5 a break and the 8 [Busch] didn’t realize it [and got in the back of the 19]. … I don’t think Kyle did anything intentional, it was just a bad look.” —Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace
Kraft also commented on the optics of Busch’s actions as he collided with both Briscoe and Elliott in quick succession.
“Optically, not good because he goes in there and turns the 19, comes out of the wreck and hooks the 9. It’s like what the hell is going on? Somebody said did Kyle Busch just rage quit?” —Freddie Kraft, Spotter for Bubba Wallace
Damage Assessment and Race Outcome
Kyle Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet remarkably avoided heavy damage and managed to continue racing to a 16th-place finish. In contrast, Elliott suffered his first Did Not Finish (DNF) of the season, abruptly halting his strong night. FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass suggested that Busch might not have seen Elliott in his blind spot during the crash.
“The 9 [Elliott] — there was somebody underneath the 9 and he couldn’t go further down,” Pockrass explained. “I don’t know whether Kyle didn’t think he was there or who knew how much control he had. The weird thing was Kyle’s car wasn’t damaged a whole lot. He was able to keep going despite hitting everybody.” —Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports
Elliott’s Perspective on the Incident
Chase Elliott shared his account of the collision, expressing frustration over Busch’s apparent unawareness of his position during the wreck. Elliott explained that he had hoped the incident was over when the pileup occurred but was caught off guard as he tried to navigate through the chaos.
“Obviously, I saw them crashing, and we were all just stacking up trying to get stopped and then after the wreck was over, I thought we were done wrecking. I was just trying to squeak by, and I guess Kyle just didn’t know I was to his left, and we were, so I hate that,”
Elliott said. “We had a good start to the night, and it just slowly unraveled until it finally fell apart. So hopefully we get on a better stretch starting next week.” —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
He further added,
“I think Kyle just didn’t know that we were trying to squeeze by the wreck on the bottom. He was kind of angled back towards the bottom of the racetrack, and I was just coming through. It’s just unfortunate.” —Chase Elliott, NASCAR Driver
Implications and What Lies Ahead
The Chase Elliott Richmond wreck collision has intensified scrutiny on driver awareness and decision-making during high-pressure moments on the track. Busch’s ability to continue racing despite multiple contacts contrasts sharply with Elliott’s DNF, illustrating how split-second misjudgments can drastically affect championship runs.
This crash may also influence future race strategies, particularly when navigating congested sections late in races at Richmond Raceway. With Elliott eager to rebound and Busch defending his intentions, upcoming events will be closely watched to see how both drivers adjust after this contentious encounter.