NASCAR is known for its thrilling high-octane racing and chaotic incidents on its oval circuit. Moreover, the fans have witnessed several multi-car wrecks, especially on tracks such as Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. The Cup Series race on October 6, 2024, turned out to be the largest crash in the history of modern-era NASCAR racing, as 28 cars were affected.
The Yellawood 500 race at Talladega Superspeedway created a historical moment and an unwanted record in the modern era of NASCAR. The final stretch of the chaotic race broke the previous record of a 27-car pileup that stood for almost 21 years.
Before we delve into the wild 2024 playoff Talladega race, let's take a look at the other chaotic multi-car wrecks in the modern era of NASCAR Cup Series history:
#4 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 (18-car pile-up)
The 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 race was held at the esteemed Daytona International Speedway, which collected a total of 18 cars, including the majority of the top contenders.
With 24 laps to go, rain showered on Turns 1 and 2, and until it was too late, NASCAR comprehended the wet asphalt. As a result, the V8s spun and slipped on the superspeedway. Moreover, the red flag was issued for more than three hours, and only 17 cars managed a restart. Finally, Austin Dillon took the checkered flag on the restart as he managed to pass the chaos unscathed.
#3 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400 (26-car pile-up)
The Superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, hosted the 2018 Coke Zero Sugar 400 event. While leading the pack, Willian Byron blocked Brad Keselowski and forced him to slow down. As a result, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. couldn't replicate the same, thus making contact with Keselowski's rear and sending him to the outside wall. This chain reaction then collected a total of 26 cars. This race also marked Erik Jones' first Cup Series career triumph.
#2 2003 Aaron's 499 (27-car pile-up)
The 2003 Aaron's 499 was previously accounted as the biggest multi-car wreck in NASCAR's Cup Series history as it collected 27 cars on Lap 4 of the Talladega Superspeedway race. The wreck started when Ryan Newman blew his tire and spun through the field, causing mayhem. Moreover, Newman's tire bounced off track after making contact with Ricky Rudd's hood.
#1 2024 Yellawood 500 (28-car pile-up)
The recent Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama was recorded as the biggest multi-car pile-up in NASCAR's modern era history. With the 2024 championship on the line, the field witnessed a four-wide for several laps.
The chaos began on Lap 184 and was primarily triggered by Austin Cindric, who spun through the middle of the track and collected a total of 28 cars in the process. Ultimately, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. ended up taking the checkered flag. It is worth mentioning that Stenhouse Jr. was the first car Cindric made contact with, which managed to stay afloat amid the chaos.