Sad News: NASCAR Cup Series drivers involved in a scary crash during heat race at Eldora Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series drivers were among those engaged in a crash involving nearly half of the SRX field during Thursday night’s opening heat race at Eldora Speedway.

In addition to Dillon and Briscoe, the crash also included Hailie Deegan, Marco Andretti, Matt Kenseth, and Tony Kanaan. In total, six of the thirteen automobiles that took the green flag were seized in the event.

The accident happened when a lower radiator hose on Austin Dillon’s car burst, leaving a trail of fluid behind him. With fluid on the track and nowhere to escape, Deegan was the first to collide with Dillon, followed by Briscoe, Kanaan, then Andretti.

The incident ended the night for Dillon, Briscoe, and Kanaan, while Deegan and Andretti began the main event in backup cars.

Following the incident, Dillon pulled racing writer Matt Weaver beneath the hood to explain what occurred.

Tony Stewart, who owns Eldora Speedway, won both heat races and led the field to the start of the 75-lap main event. SRX Thursday Night Thunder airs live on ESPN.

 

 

 

Four Drivers Locked In Battle For The NASCAR Regular Season Title

With NASCAR on a two-week hiatus due to the Paris Olympics, four drivers remain embroiled in a fierce race for the Cup Series regular season championship. Despite the fact that no racing is taking place, the four contestants still have a lot on their plates, since any of them might make a big run in the remaining four races of the season.

Since NASCAR implemented the playoff structure and regular season title, some Cup Series races have been won by a select few contenders. This year seems a little different because four drivers have a legitimate chance of winning the title and the fifteen additional playoff points that come with it.

Currently, all four drivers in contention have won at least one race this season. The four are Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, and Denny Hamlin. All four of them contain numerous intriguing twists and turns. Larson currently retains the #1 slot after winning the Brickyard 400.

The fundamental question remains: which of these four has the best chance of winning the regular season?

Four Drivers Locked in Battle For NASCAR Regular Season Title

As previously stated, Larson reclaimed the lead in the standings following the Brickyard 400 and now leads Chase Elliott, his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, by 10 points. 23XI and Toyota’s Tyler Reddick also made significant gains in Indianapolis, finishing second. The fourth driver in the chase is Reddick’s boss, Denny Hamlin.

Larson has been extremely successful this season, but he missed the Coca-Cola 600 earlier this year because he was racing the Indy 500. Larson had to take a waiver, so he missed a race, which might come back to hurt him, if he slips up in the next four races of the season.

He’s undoubtedly grateful for the waiver right now, as is team owner Rick Hendrick.Hendrick spoke with Jim Utter of motorsport.com about Larson’s motivation for redemption in Indianapolis.

“I think the disappointment in the 600, not being able to finish that race, was extra motivation,” Hendrick pointed out. “I am delighted NASCAR granted us the waiver. I can’t tell you how disappointed we all were with how the weekend turned out. I believe this was more of a celebration than usual due to everyone’s regret at not finishing the task.

Can Larson keep the points lead? Of course he can; the final four races of the regular season are Richmond, Michigan, Daytona, and Darlington. Daytona is undoubtedly the weakest of those tracks for Larson, but he has won at each of the other three at least twice in his Cup career.

Consistency Could Make or Break Drivers in Championship Battle

In 2023, the most popular driver in NASCAR missed seven races, making it a forgettable year. He also didn’t win a race and missed the playoffs. Now, a year later, he’s not only in the playoffs thanks to his victory at Texas Motor Speedway, but he’s also right in the middle of the regular season championship chase.

Elliott had a three-point lead over Larson into Indianapolis and is currently 10 points back despite another top-10 performance.Elliott is still active in the fight. His constancy has been almost unheard of. In 22 races this season, his poorest finish was 21st. That finish came at the Chicago Street Course, where he spun out on the final corner while fighting for the top ten.

Add in the fact that he has been consistently fast in recent weeks, and he has been in contention for more race wins all year. He has led a resurgent campaign in 2024. Is this enough to beat Larson, Hamlin, and Reddick? Time will tell. The final four races of the regular season will take place at four tracks where Elliott has previously performed well. There are also four tunes that he has been wronged by previously. Michigan is an excellent example. Elliott finished second three times in a row in his first three races on the 2-mile oval.

Tyler Reddick Has Something to Say

Tyler Reddick, like Larson and Elliott, has had a tremendous season thus far. He has speed and a car capable of winning at almost every track where the sport has competed. That was once again the case in the Brickyard, when Reddick took the pole and drove a race-winning car late in the race. He had to settle for second, but it gives the driver of the No. 45 great confidence.

Reddick discussed the exciting regular season title race with Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, emphasizing the importance of capitalizing on other drivers’ mistakes.

“We’ve done a good job capitalizing on their bad days,” Reddick told the crowd. “It’s a lot of joy racing with those guys. Obviously, Denny is my supervisor. Me and Chase don’t have much in common or history, but Kyle Larson and I grew up racing together.”

Reddick is 15 points behind Larson in the standings and may catch up quickly, especially if Larson struggles in the remaining four races.

Outside Shot Or Not, Denny Hamlin Is Still In Play

Denny Hamlin has three wins this season and wants more. Of the four drivers remaining vying for the regular season championship, Hamlin has cooled off significantly. Wrecking out of the Brickyard 400 did not assist his cause. That was his third DNF of the season, putting him 43 points behind Larson. That may not seem like much, but it is not an easy achievement to replicate.

Hamlin has struggled over the summer months, finishing 24th or below in five of the last seven races. He began the season with a lot of zeal, still seeking his first Cup Championship. With 54 career wins, it might be now or never for Hamlin, especially with Larson, Elliott, and his driver Reddick as his biggest opposition.

Hamlin has won more than once at each of the last four tracks. He won the first Richmond race, which is also one of his home tracks. The regular season title is far from determined as long as Hamlin drives the No. 11 car.