During the first round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe were involved in a serious crash at the start of the Quaker State 400. This incident would have significant consequences for both drivers, as they are fighting for playoff success.
At turn 56, the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Larson was released while navigating Turns 1 and 2, resulting in a heavy crash that saw his car hit the nose of the SAFER before skidding to a stop warning in all, “Larson said after being evaluated and released from the treatment center of the camp.
“If anything, I was getting tighter, yes, just took the eye. I have never been, even at this time, like a coward. He started coming out and I overcorrected and yes, I just overcorrected.
“In third at that point, Larson’s struggle to maintain control led to a chain reaction that immediately involved Chase Briscoe. Chase. Briscoe, driving the No. 14 Stewart- Haas Racing Ford, was 14th when he crashed into Larson’s car. I kept trying to move the car to the left to slow down and he couldn’t go left fast enough. Briscoe’s car sustained extensive damage from the crash his race Both drivers were forced out of that weekend’s race, with Larson finishing 37th and Briscoe 38th, last in the field. Each driver earned just one point, a stark contrast to the projected playoff trajectories Larson entered the playoffs as the top seed. 1, with a 35-point lead in the playoffs. Briscoe, who earned his play-off spot with a win in the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, moved up to 13th in the standings, tied but dangerously close to the line with Alex Bowman and Harrison Burton.
The Stage 1 race ended under the yellow flag, with Ryan Blaney winning the segment. Other headliners include Austin Cindric, Alex Bowman and Joey Logano, among others. “I feel good,” Larson said. “Fortunately everything went well, so thanks to Hendrick Motorsports and NASCAR for the safety.”
Briscoe said: “It’s NASCAR, right? You can be on top one week and you can be on the bottom Unfortunately, I think our car was pretty good, but I felt able to run around the guys from seventh to twelfth, with the races coming up at Watkins Glen International and Bristol Motor Speedway, the pressure is on the last four. The drivers without winners will be eliminated after the Bass Pro Shops race at night in Bristol. Briscoe feels the pressure.
“You are hanging on for sure. This place is hard; you are just on the ragged edge. For me, I was almost spinning out. That’s what I kept telling my guys. I needed to make the first pit stop to get our car better, but unfortunately, we didn’t get that opportunity. These guys are on pins and needles, that’s for sure.”