On a day when sports enthusiasts were already buzzing with NFL action and the MLB postseason heating up, the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega was meant to top it all off. However, the YellaWood 500 turned out to be a chaotic spectacle.

Historic 28-car wreck halts YellaWood 500

With just five laps remaining at Talladega, fans witnessed complete pandemonium as a 28-car crash unfolded. What was supposed to be a routine moment on the track spiraled into chaos. The incident began when Cindric spun off Keselowski’s bumper after making contact with Stenhouse’s car, leading to a chain reaction that wiped out nearly the entire lead pack. Among those caught up in the crash were top drivers like Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, and playoff contenders, including eight vying for spots in the Round of 8.

While NASCAR has seen bigger pileups before its modern era (pre-1972), Sunday’s crash now holds the record for the largest in modern history, surpassing the previous high of 27 cars. After the debris was cleared and the race resumed, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. clinched the win in a thrilling photo finish.