The contrast between Bristol and Watkins Glen was clear, but one key moment at The Glen hasn’t received enough attention. Despite multiple crashes, including a hard-hitting collision between Brad Keselowski and William Byron, several damaged cars still managed to finish the race. Keselowski’s No. 6 car, though visibly wrecked, completed the race in 26th place. But the real story isn’t just about survival—it’s about the resilience of NASCAR’s NextGen cars.
The durability of these new designs became a talking point among fans and experts alike. Even after Keselowski’s crash, the car held up in ways that left many amazed. Images of Keselowski’s wrecked but intact car began circulating online, revealing just how tough these NextGen vehicles really are. Fans, seeing the photos of his banged-up but functional car, couldn’t help but marvel at how well it held together. The takeaway was clear: NASCAR’s NextGen cars are built to withstand intense collisions and still keep drivers safe.
### Keselowski’s Roll Cage Takes a Hit
Inside every Cup Series car, drivers rely on a roll cage for protection, designed to keep the car from collapsing in on them during crashes. The crash between Keselowski and Byron was so intense that it actually dented Keselowski’s roll cage. Even though it took a significant hit, the cage maintained its integrity, ensuring the driver’s safety. This is exactly what NASCAR has been aiming for with the safety improvements in the NextGen cars, and the Watkins Glen crash proved that their efforts are paying off.
The collision was dramatic. Byron’s car went airborne briefly before coming down, with its right front tire dangerously close to entering Keselowski’s car. It was a near-disaster. Fortunately, both cars only sustained minor damage, and the two drivers were able to reverse out of the entanglement and continue the race like nothing had happened.
### NASCAR’s Focus on Safety
This level of resilience didn’t happen overnight. NASCAR made it a priority to enhance the safety features of the NextGen cars after Kyle Larson’s serious incident at Talladega last year. During that race, Larson’s car was sent flying up the banking in a high-speed pack, where it was hit by Ryan Preece. The crash severely damaged Larson’s safety cage, with parts of the tubing coming loose—a terrifying reminder of what could go wrong. NASCAR took that incident as a wake-up call and has since reinforced the roll cages to ensure such failures don’t happen again.
The effectiveness of these safety upgrades became evident in the aftermath of Keselowski’s crash. Photos of his damaged roll cage quickly surfaced on social media platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), where fans were impressed by how well the car withstood the impact. One fan shared their reaction online, saying, “A 3400-pound car hit the roll cage right at a potential failure point, and it only created a small ding. Like it or hate it, this car is definitely safe.”
### Fans React to the Durability of NextGen Cars
Fans of NASCAR, who are often divided on the NextGen cars, found common ground in their praise for the car’s safety features. Many were quick to acknowledge how remarkable it was that a car moving at such high speeds could collide in such a way and only sustain minimal damage. One fan summed up the sentiment, saying, “The physics of it is absolutely remarkable. It could have been a disaster, but thanks to the work NASCAR has put into driver safety, the drivers live to tell the story.”
When the fan mentioned “physics,” they were referring to the many factors that come into play during these crashes. Aerodynamics, downforce, and Newton’s laws of motion all influence how cars behave in these high-speed collisions. The NextGen cars were designed with independent rear suspensions and transaxles to improve stability, especially in crashes, and these design improvements were on full display during the Watkins Glen incident.
### The Future of NASCAR Safety
While opinions on the NextGen cars’ performance and design are still mixed among fans, one thing is undeniable: they are safer. This crash, and the images of Keselowski’s car afterward, are evidence of the significant steps NASCAR has taken to prioritize driver safety. Byron’s car nearly entered Keselowski’s window—a scenario that could have ended much worse if not for the strength of the roll cage.
In the end, this crash has sparked a wider discussion about the role of engineering, physics, and safety in motorsports. NASCAR’s continuous effort to improve safety measures is not only about protecting drivers in the present but also about pushing the limits of what’s possible in race car design. The Watkins Glen crash, while a scary moment, ultimately served as proof that these NextGen cars are the safest NASCAR has ever built.
As more drivers experience these intense crashes and walk away unscathed, it’s clear that the future of racing is not only about speed and competition—it’s about keeping the sport’s most important assets, its drivers, safe.
“Brad Keselowski’s Shocking Reveal of the Aftermath from His Brutal Watkins Glen Crash Leaves NASCAR Fans Stunned and Speechless”
