WATCH: “Doing the best Dale Earnhardt impression”- Fans go into frenzy over the multi-car mele involving Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson at Daytona

Ty Gibbs and Christopher Bell triggered a chain reaction that saw 12 cars crash out of the race at Daytona.

WATCH: “Doing the best Dale Earnhardt impression”- Fans go into frenzy over the multi-car mele involving Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson at Daytona

The 'Big One' at the Daytona International Speedway (Credits: Twitter)

The recent NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway took a dramatic turn when a massive multi-car wreck unfolded on the track. The incident, which involved 16 cars, left fans on the edge of their seats and drew comparisons to a somber moment in NASCAR history—the 2001 Daytona 500 and the tragic loss of Dale Earnhardt Sr.

As the race entered its later stages, a collision between Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs triggered a chain reaction that saw Ryan Blaney‘s car slam head-on into the track’s retaining wall. The impact was intense, and in-car camera footage broadcasted on NBC revealed the severity of the crash.

YouTube video

The ensuing wreckage collected more cars, with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Alex Bowman, A.J. Allmendinger, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher, Harrison Burton, Kyle Larson, and Riley Herbst all becoming part of the chaotic scene. The red flag was displayed as track crews worked diligently to clean up the aftermath. At that point, the race was on Lap 96 of 160.

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Remarkably, amidst the wreckage and chaos, all 12 drivers involved in the incident emerged relatively unscathed. Ryan Blaney, whose car bore the brunt of the impact, was cleared by medical personnel at the infield care center. This incident was a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures in NASCAR.

Discover: WATCH: Ryan Preece’s car goes airborne violently and flips ten times in a terrifying Daytona crash

Fans drew parallels to the infamous 2001 Daytona 500, lauds Chase Elliot’s wreckage avoidance

Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s tragic accident, 2001 Daytona
Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s tragic accident, 2001 Daytona (Credits: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

For longtime NASCAR fans, the multi-car wreck at Daytona couldn’t help but evoke memories of a fateful day in NASCAR history—the 2001 Daytona 500. That race, too, had its share of dramatic events. Tragically, the race ended in the fatal crash of Dale Earnhardt Sr., one of NASCAR’s greatest legends. His collision with Sterling Marlin’s car on the final lap led to his untimely death, profoundly impacting the sport and prompting significant safety advancements.

As clips of the recent Daytona wreck circulated on social media, fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts and emotions. Many expressed relief that safety improvements made over the past two decades had resulted in all drivers involved walking away from the scene relatively unharmed. Fans were glad to see Blaney walk away fine. A few fans even lauded Chase Elliot’s maneuverability to avoid the wreckage. 

However, the incident also sparked a range of reactions. Some fans drew parallels to Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s crash and expressed gratitude for the safety measures implemented since that tragic day in 2001. Others used humor to cope with the tension, with one fan cheekily suggesting that Ryan Blaney was “doing the best Earnhardt impression.”

https://twitter.com/TylerWong82001/status/1695605624090882314

The recent multi-car wreck at Daytona stirred powerful emotions within the NASCAR community, serving as a reminder of the sport’s history and the ongoing commitment to safety that has helped protect its drivers.

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