Top 25 NASCAR Crashes in History

25. Joey Logano – Talladega (2021)

Joey Logano’s No:21 Team Penske Ford flipped mid-air after getting involved in a multi-car crash. The incident was so dangerous, the now three times Cup champion demands safety upgrades from NASCAR. (Image via Fox)

24. Kyle Larson – Daytona 500 (2023)

Kyle Larson’s No:5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy slammed hard head onto the wall during the 2023 Daytona 500. The overtime incident was a reminder to the fans; how chaotic NASCAR races can be. (Image via nayag.com)

23. Michael McDowell – Texas (2008)

Michael McDowell’s car slammed into the wall at over 180 mph and rolled over eight times. The veteran was able to walk away from the wreck unharmed, a testament to NASCAR cars safety. (Image via NASCAR.com)

22. Jeff Gordon – Las Vegas (2008)

Even the GOATs of the sport isn’t spared from wild incident and that’s exactly what happened with Jeff Gordon at Las Vegas. He slammed into an unprotected wall and the incident inspired major safety upgrades to the wall.

21. Jimmie Johnson – Watkins Glen (2000)

The seven times Cup champion Jimmie Johnson experienced a terrifying break failure in 2000 and slammed into the barrier. This later inspired NASCAR to mandate new safety features in runoff areas. (Image via TOMSTERSTUFF/YouTube)

20. Chris Buescher – Charlotte (2022)

RFK Racing most valuable driver was involved in a crash, which would have been career ending in 80s and 90s at Charllotte. His car flipped five times after he got caught up in a pileup. (Image via Fox)

19. Erik Jones – Talladega (2023)

Erik Jones career resurgence almost came to a halt in 2023 at Talladega. His car slammed hard into the wall and was hit from behind by a competitor. But he was able to walk away with barely any scratch. (Via Fox News)

18. Austin Dillon – Daytona (2015)

It not always the drivers that gets in trouble with crashes as in 2015 at Daytona Austin Dillon was involved in massive crash after the race was finished and debris from his car injured some fans. (Image via checkerstowreckers.com)

17. Clint Bowyer – Daytona (2014)

Racing legend Clint Bowyer was involved in a wild flip at Daytona after getting caught in a multi-car incident. It was one of the biggest wrecks of the veteran’s career. (Images via USA Today)

16. Ryan Preece – Daytona (2023)

In 2023 in the Daytona regular season finale race, the then SHR driver’s car flipped 10 times after getting turned. This incident started discussion around the issues with the infield grass at the iconic track. (Images via xtrhorsepower.com)

15. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Kansas (2012)

NASCAR’s most famous driver ever wasn’t spared by the God of Wrecks, as his car exploded in the 2012 Kansas race after he hit the wall due to a tire blowout. (Via Jim Dice/YouTube)

14. Ricky Rudd – Atlanta (1990)

One incident that showed the class and toughness of Ricky Rudd, as he walked away from a brutal wreck at Atlanta. His car flipped violently down the front stretch and somehow continued racing later that day. (Image Via vertigomotorsport.com)

13. Ryan Newman – Daytona (2003)

Ryan Newman has been part of some big wrecks in his NASCAR career. One of them came in Daytona in 03, when he flipped multiple times and got drilled on the driver’s side door. (Images via pinterest.ca)

12. Bobby Allison – Talladega (1987)

Allison’s car got airborne and tore through the catchfence. It nearly entered the crowd. The incident inspired NASCAR to change the rules and introduce the restrictor plates. (Images via altdriver.com)

11. Geoff Bodine – Daytona (1996)

Bodine’s car flipped into the catchfence, burst into flames, and disintegrated. The veteran though survived one of the most gruesome wrecks in Daytona history like a champion. (Images via Pinterest)

10. Jeff Gordon – Pocono (2006)

For the second time in the list, the now Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon has a place. He lost his break in Turn one at Pocono in 2006 and this resulted in a full speed crash into the wall, which was painful to say the least.

9. Ken Schrader – Atlanta (1995)

A savage hit into the Turn 4 wall, with the car almost splitting apart. Fans feared the worst as driver were known to lose their life in such incidents in the 90s— but Schrader survived. (Images via flickr.com)

8. Kyle Busch – Daytona 500 (2024)

In a chaotic finish, Kyle Busch got turned at full speed and pounded the wall head-on — it was one of biggest wrecks the two times Cup champion has ever been featured. (Images via On3)

7. Rusty Wallace – Talladega (1993)

A last-lap wreck sent Wallace airborne and tumbling down the track. It took several minutes for him to climb out, the Hall of Famer’s grit and determination at the moment earned some hardcore fans. (Images Pinterest)

6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Talladega (2004)

Second time in the list, HOF Dale Jr. is getting shoutout. He Got turned in the tri-oval and pounded by multiple cars. The veteran later admitted that it was one of the hardest hits of his life. (Image Via Sports Illustrated)

5. Richard Petty – Darlington (1970)

Even the 200 times Cup race winner has their bad days on the track and in NASCAR this means chaos. Petty flipped multiple times and was thrown from the car — no window nets back then at Daytona. This crash led to the introduction of major safety gear. (image via NBC)

4. Steve Park – Pocono (2002)

An incident that truly ruined what would have a been a slid career. A vicious hit where his car suddenly turned hard right under caution and hit the wall nearly head-on. Park’s career was never the same. (Image via NASCAR)

3. Ernie Irvan – Michigan (1994)

Nearly fatal crash during practice, now that’s something that doesn’t happen every year. Irvan suffered severe head and lung injuries — a tragic reminder of how dangerous NASCAR was in that era. (Image via NASCAR)

2. Ryan Newman – Daytona 500 (2020)

Now we have Newman again, at Daytona getting featured in the biggest wreck of his career. He was leading when he flipped and got struck driver’s side by another car. Fans feared the worst. He walked out of the hospital two days later. (image via NASCAR)

1. Dale Earnhardt – Daytona 500 (2001)

The most heartbreaking crash in NASCAR history. The Intimidator lost his life on the final lap — it changed the sport forever with the sanctioning body mandating measures that keeping the stock car racers safe even now. (Image via tennessean.com)