With just a few laps to go in Stage 1 at the famed superspeedway, a major incident unfolded at the front of the field.
Following the first round of green-flag pit stops, AJ Allmendinger was in control of the race with Noah Gragson to his outside. Entering Turn 3, an awkward bump from Erik Jones sent Gragson into Allmendinger’s door, before sending both cars careening into the outside wall.
Elliott in playoff peril
Along with those two drivers and Jones, the wreck also collected defending fall Talladega winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Austin Dillon, Austin Cindric, and Round of 8 playoff driver Chase Elliott.
Elliott entered this race 23 points below the cutline, but he was unable to continue and so, he’ll leave Talladega with just one point. That is likely going to put NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver in a must-win situation for next weekend’s elimination race at Martinsville.
Elliott wasn’t part of the initial wreck, but got knocked into it as he was doored by Cindric, spinning sideways before getting hit by Dillon.
“I haven’t seen it but I got turned sideways — somehow, someway,” said Elliott. “And yeah, hit some more stuff after that.
“…Stage points are so crucial right now. I wasn’t super surprised. Everyone was getting super aggressive and unfortunately, we didn’t make it through.”
Allmendinger sore but OK
Watch: Allmendinger: ‘Knocked the breath out of me’ but OK after hard crash
Allmendinger, who took a brutal hit, climbed from his car and laid on the ground beside it in worrying scenes around the destroyed No. 16 car. Thankfully, he gingerly got back on his feet and was later checked and released from the infield care center.
“I feel alright,” said Allmendinger. “It knocked the breath out of me. As I stopped, I felt like the car was catching on fire, I got out and tried to get my breath back. I feel okay now. I’ll probably be sore. Hard hit for my old body.
“…Disappointing. It’s why I hate this place but it’s part of this racing. At least we were up front for a little bit there. Sucks to have it happen so early, but end of the day, I get to kiss Tara and Aero. I’ll be a little sore, but it will give me an excuse (during golf). Always expect the worse here and hope for the best, but today we got the worst.
Gragson, Allmendinger, Jones, Stenhouse, Haley, Cindric, and Elliott all went to the garage due to the severity of the damage. Only Dillon was able to continue on track.
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