DAYTONA BEACH, FL – A multi-car crash during Stage 2 of the 2026 Daytona 500 significantly impacted several drivers, including rookie Shane van Gisbergen. The incident, which occurred on Lap 124 at Daytona International Speedway, involved approximately 17 cars and ended van Gisbergen’s promising run near the front of the field. The crash stemmed from a maneuver by Denny Hamlin, and resulted in multiple drivers being eliminated from the race.
Van Gisbergen, driving the #97 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro, had been competitive, even leading three laps earlier in the race. The Modern Zealander was running strongly when the chaos unfolded, ultimately sustaining damage to the nose of his car and falling two laps down for repairs. This incident throws a wrench into his early season ambitions in the NASCAR Cup Series.
The initial spark for the “big one” came when Denny Hamlin in the #11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry attempted to move to the outside of Justin Allgaier’s #40 JR Motorsports Camaro through the tri-oval. According to reports, the gap closed, causing Allgaier to spin into the wall. As the field reacted, a chain reaction of collisions ensued, with van Gisbergen getting caught up in the melee.
The view of the Big One from Joey Logano and Ross Chastain. pic.twitter.com/vuTDgfNxFr
&mdash. FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2026
Van Gisbergen made contact with Kyle Larson’s #5 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro before spinning into his teammate, Ross Chastain, in the #1 car. The #97 Camaro ultimately came to rest on the paved infield.
Allgaier took full responsibility for initiating the crash, acknowledging the impact on other drivers. “Unfortunately, I’m going to take 100 percent responsibility for that one. I hate it for everyone that got caught up in it. Really stinks,” Allgaier said, according to Speedcafe.com. Todd Gilliland (#34 Front Row Motorsports Mustang) and Alex Bowman (#48 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro) were also eliminated from the race as a result of the wreck.
There’s the Big One! Here’s what happened. pic.twitter.com/Q9Bf7FNH6W
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 15, 2026
