Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. caused 'The Big One' with 15 laps remaining in the Daytona 500, a move that would ultimately end the Daytona 500 dreams of Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch.
The incident, which occurred with just a handful of laps left to go in the iconic race, saw several top contenders caught up in the wreckage, including Blaney and Busch, who had been running strongly throughout the day.
Logano and Stenhouse Jr. were battling for position when they made contact, triggering a chain reaction that would go on to involve several other cars. The impact was severe, with Blaney and Busch finding themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As the dust settled, it became clear that the damage to Blaney and Busch's cars was too severe for them to continue, bringing an abrupt end to their Daytona 500 aspirations. The pair had been considered among the favorites to win the prestigious event, making their exit all the more shocking.
The incident served as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of racing, particularly at a track like Daytona, where the margins between success and disaster are often paper-thin. Despite the best efforts of their teams, Blaney and Busch were unable to recover from the incident, and were forced to watch from the sidelines as the race drew to a close.
For Logano and Stenhouse Jr., the consequences of their actions will likely be a topic of debate in the coming days. While the move that sparked 'The Big One' may not have been intentional, it has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the outcome of the race, and will likely be scrutinized by fans and pundits alike.
As the racing community begins to dissect the events of the Daytona 500, one thing is clear: the incident involving Logano, Stenhouse Jr., Blaney, and Busch will be remembered as one of the defining moments of the race. Whether or not it was the right call, the move that sparked 'The Big One' has undoubtedly left its mark on the 2024 NASCAR season.