Big One hit just 15 laps in the Daytona 500, triggered when Aric Almirola became pole winner Alex Bowman and started a 16-car accumulation.
A few minutes later, the race was stopped by lightning, and fans who were socially distanced in the stands had to seek shelter in the crowded hall. Heavy rains followed, closing the “Great American Race” for what will be a long delay.
Christopher Bell started the fight when he pushed Almirola too hard near the front of the field and forced the Stewart-Haas Racing driver to fly while trying to avoid slipping. Almirola turned right into Bowman. Their contact caused others to collide, sending them spinning and skidding through grass and mud. Martin Truex Jr., Erik Jones, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Ryan Newman Daniel Suarez and Kurt Busch were among those involved.
“We were just pushed too hard too early,” Almirola said, according to NASCAR.com. “It’s a long, long race. Man, I was in a great position, just sitting there riding in the first two, three and 20 [Bell] he just came with a big race and hit me really hard in a bad place and turned right, broke our race car and finished our Daytona 500 much too early. “
Almirola, Bowman, Newman, Jones and Suarez are among those listed in the race now, according to NASCAR.com.
Hendrick Motorsports had put Bowman and Byron first.
Newman was nearly killed in a horrific crash in the last lap of the Daytona 500 last year. Newman left safely on Sunday and even checked Busch while he was in the Chevy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.