The 2026 Daytona 500 will be remembered not just for its dramatic conclusion but for the massive crash that threatened to shatter one of the most remarkable active streaks in NASCAR history. As the Great American Race unfolded under sunny Florida skies on February 15, the anticipation centered heavily on defending champion William Byron, who entered the event riding a wave of dominance that few could ignore.
Having claimed victory in the previous two editions, Byron was on the cusp of becoming the first driver in the modern era to win three consecutive Daytona 500s—a feat that would have etched his name alongside legends like Cale Yarborough and Denny Hamlin in unique company. Yet, in a single chaotic moment during Stage 2, that historic streak faced its most serious jeopardy yet.
The race began with the usual superspeedway flair: packs of cars drafting tightly, drivers jockeying for position, and the ever-present threat of “The Big One” looming over every lap. Pole-sitter Kyle Busch led early, but the field quickly sorted itself into alliances and strategies focused on fuel mileage and track position. Byron, starting mid-pack in his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, navigated cautiously through the opening stages, avoiding trouble while conserving his equipment for the long haul. His team had emphasized patience, knowing that at Daytona, survival often trumped aggression until the final segments.
Trouble arrived suddenly on Lap 124. Justin Allgaier, making a rare Cup Series appearance in the No. 40 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, had surged to the front and was holding a commanding lead. Denny Hamlin, ever the aggressive charger, saw an opening on the outside and pushed hard to challenge for the top spot entering Turn 4. Allgaier attempted to block, but the move came too late—what commentators described as a “lazy” defensive effort. Hamlin made contact with Allgaier’s rear bumper, sending the leader spinning toward the infield grass. The chain reaction was instantaneous and devastating.
Cars fanned out across the track in a horrifying ballet of metal and smoke. The wreck collected approximately 20 vehicles, including heavy hitters like Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, and crucially, William Byron. Byron’s Chevrolet clipped the rear of another car in the melee, ricocheting off the outside wall with significant right-side damage. The impact crumpled fenders, shattered sheet metal, and left his car wounded but still drivable. As the field came to a halt under caution, crew members swarmed to assess the damage, while Byron sat in the cockpit, visibly frustrated but composed.
This was no ordinary crash. The scale of the pileup—often dubbed “The Big One” in superspeedway parlance—eliminated or severely hampered several top contenders. Byron’s streak, built on flawless execution in 2024 and 2025, now hung in the balance. He had never failed to finish strongly at Daytona during his title-contending years, and the prospect of an early exit felt unthinkable. The No. 24 team sprang into action during the extended caution period, patching what they could with tape, spare parts, and sheer determination.
Byron rejoined the race several laps down but miraculously remained on the lead lap after wave-arounds and strategic pit stops.
Meanwhile, the race pressed on with a reshuffled field. Tyler Reddick, driving the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota backed by Michael Jordan, had avoided the carnage entirely and emerged as one of the strongest survivors. Other drivers like Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. stayed in contention, setting the stage for a tense final 50 laps. Fuel strategy became paramount as teams calculated how far they could stretch their tanks, knowing green-flag stops could decide the outcome.
Byron’s comeback was nothing short of heroic. Lap after lap, he methodically worked his way forward, drafting with whoever would push him and capitalizing on every restart. The damage slowed him, but his driving remained precise. By the time the race reached its closing circuits, he had clawed back into the top 15—a remarkable recovery that kept his streak mathematically alive, though the dream of a third straight win slipped further away with each passing moment.
The true bombshell, however, detonated on the final lap. Carson Hocevar led the white-flag circuit but spun in Turn 1 after contact from Erik Jones, wiping out Michael McDowell and handing the lead to Chase Elliott. Elliott, chasing his elusive first Daytona 500 victory, powered through the tri-oval with Reddick closing fast. But chaos erupted again in the final corner: Riley Herbst attempted a desperate block on Brad Keselowski, triggering a multi-car pileup that swept up Elliott, Keselowski, and others. Cars spun wildly across the finish line in a cloud of debris and sparks.
Reddick, positioned perfectly on the outside, threaded the needle and crossed the line first, claiming his maiden Daytona 500 win in dramatic fashion—0.308 seconds ahead of Stenhouse, with Joey Logano third despite damage. Elliott salvaged fourth despite wrecking, while Keselowski’s frustration boiled over in post-race interviews, lambasting the late-race aggression.
Byron, who had rallied impressively, crossed the line in 12th place. The third consecutive victory eluded him, ending the streak that had captivated fans and elevated his status as a superspeedway force. Yet the finish was a testament to resilience: damaged but not defeated, he had kept his car in the hunt when many others did not. The crash on Lap 124 had threatened to end it all prematurely, but Byron’s poise and his team’s quick thinking preserved the possibility of future glory.
In the aftermath, the NASCAR world buzzed with debate. Was the blocking move by Allgaier justifiable? Should more be done to prevent such massive wrecks? For Byron, the disappointment was real, but so was the pride in the fightback. The 2026 Daytona 500 delivered everything promised—high speeds, strategy, heartbreak, and triumph—while reminding everyone that even the greatest streaks can be tested in an instant. As Reddick celebrated in Victory Lane, hoisting the Harley J. Earl Trophy under the lights, Byron’s eyes were already on the road ahead, determined to rebuild what the crash had nearly destroyed.
The Great American Race had spoken once more, and its message was clear: nothing is guaranteed, not even history in the making.
