A dramatic multi-car wreck—known in NASCAR as “The Big One”—unfolded during Stage 2 of the 2026 Daytona 500, capturing the inherent volatility of superspeedway racing. The incident occurred on Lap 124 when close-quarters drafting at speeds approaching 200 miles per hour led to a chain-reaction collision that quickly engulfed a large portion of the field.

Aerial and trackside footage shows the crash developing from initial contact within the tightly packed draft. A blocking move triggered instability in the line, causing a spin that sent cars scattering across the racing surface. Within seconds, more than 20 vehicles were caught in the expanding wreck, producing thick smoke, debris, and heavy damage to multiple contenders. Drivers including Chase Briscoe and rookie Connor Zilisch were among those affected as the pack compressed with little room to avoid the incident.

The phenomenon known as “The Big One” is a defining feature of Daytona racing, where aerodynamic drafting keeps cars in dense formations that amplify the consequences of even minor contact. Historical data indicates that more than half of Daytona 500 events have featured at least one major pileup, reflecting the delicate balance between speed, strategy, and risk on the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

Safety crews responded immediately, deploying caution flags and working to clear damaged vehicles while assessing drivers for injuries. Advances in vehicle design, energy-absorbing barriers, and driver protection systems have significantly improved survivability in high-speed crashes, allowing many competitors to exit their cars under their own power despite extensive vehicle damage.

The Lap 124 wreck reshaped the competitive landscape of the race, eliminating several front-running cars and forcing teams to adjust fuel strategy, track position tactics, and drafting alliances for the remainder of the event. As is often the case at Daytona, the “Big One” served as a pivotal moment, demonstrating both the spectacle and the unpredictability that define stock car racing’s premier season opener.