Joey Logano Walks Away From Airborne 15-Car Crash at Talladega
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway was temporarily halted under a red flag after a massive multi-car pileup.
A massive 15-car pileup disrupted the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, sending three-time champion Joey Logano's car airborne and landing on its roof with just five laps remaining. Safety crews needed several minutes to right the No. 22 Ford, allowing Logano to climb out uninjured to applause from the grandstands.
The chaotic wreck began when Logano, running in fourth place, lost control after receiving a push from Carson Hocevar on the frontstretch. The resulting chain reaction collected numerous drivers, including Chase Briscoe, Brad Keselowski, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, and Riley Herbst. Herbst appeared to lose his brakes before slamming into the inside wall at full speed.
Reflecting on the frightening incident, Logano compared the airborne flip to a cinematic moment. “I just got a push in the wrong spot there,” Logano said. “It was very much a ‘Talladega Nights,’ ‘Oh no, I’re upside down, this is not good’ moment. I can’t thank the safety crew enough. They did an amazing job flipping that thing over.”
Herbst, who previously missed a race in August due to a concussion sustained at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, exited his vehicle with assistance from medical workers. While sporting a soft cast on his left hand and a wrist wrap, Herbst remained in good spirits after the high-speed impact. “I’m OK; it was a big one,” Herbst said. “My dad always said, ‘If you’re going to be dumb, you better be tough.’ So, cheers.”
Logano, a three-time winner at the 2.66-mile superspeedway, has previously voiced strong safety concerns regarding airborne crashes at the venue. Following a similar flip during the April 2021 race, he expressed frustration over structural compromises inside his vehicle. However, the Team Penske driver praised recent NASCAR safety updates after emerging unharmed from Sunday's accident.
“The car did a great job,” Logano stated. “The last time I flipped it was crushed on my head. This time, I don’t think any of the roll cage crushed at all, so I appreciate what NASCAR’s done. Thank you and the safety team for getting me out of there. There was some vicious hits in this one. Just happy to be alive.”
Once the track was cleared and racing resumed, Kyle Larson secured the victory following a dramatic final-lap photo finish, edging out William Byron and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. With the win, Larson extended his lead in the standings to 73 points over Denny Hamlin with only two races left in the season at Martinsville Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.