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Chase Elliott’s heart-wrenching Daytona 500 crash: humor hides the pain of last-lap heartbreak

Publisher by Publisher
February 16, 2026
in Motorsports, NASCAR
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Chase Elliott’s heart-wrenching Daytona 500 crash: humor hides the pain of last-lap heartbreak

Chase Elliott's Daytona 500 Dreams Crashed in a Heart-Stopping Finale: “Maybe I Should Have Wrecked the First Time”

In a gripping twist of fate that left fans on the edge of their seats, Chase Elliott, the star driver for Hendrick Motorsports, faced a harrowing end to the iconic Daytona 500 on February 15, 2026. The high-stakes race at Daytona International Speedway turned into a nightmare for Elliott, who saw his hopes for victory dashed in the final moments of the 500-mile showdown.

Elliott, who kicked off the race from a respectable ninth position, skillfully navigated through the chaos of the 200-lap event and even surged to the front after a significant incident involving Carson Hocevar on the last lap. As he edged toward the finish line, victory seemed tantalizingly close. But just as he was about to claim the glory, disaster struck.

The drama peaked when 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick and Riley Herbst teamed up behind Elliott. In a stunning display of teamwork, Herbst pushed Reddick forward to overtake the #9 Chevy Camaro ZL1. However, in a shocking turn of events, the #35 Toyota lost control and collided with Elliott's car, resulting in a catastrophic wreck mere seconds before the finish.

This unpredictable turn left Elliott fuming as he recounted the incident in an exclusive post-race interview with Kelly Crandall. “I just felt like I was going to get crashed if I had tried to throw another move on him,” he lamented, revealing his frustration over the chaotic final moments. “I feel like the best play for me was to try and re-rack and try to get one last shove to the line. But it was the 35, and he wasn’t going to push me, so… then he winds up crashing himself, not pushing me, which then in turn crashed me anyway.”

In a moment of dry humor that masked his disappointment, Elliott quipped, “Maybe I should have just turned left, wrecked the first time.” His sarcasm only highlighted the raw emotions swirling around the racetrack, as he finished the race in fourth place, ultimately losing out to a triumphant Reddick, who achieved his first-ever Daytona 500 victory. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. secured the runner-up position, while Joey Logano rounded out the top three.

But the drama didn't stop with the Daytona 500. In a recent interview with Steven Taranto, Elliott also reflected on his absence from the All-American 400, revealing the complexities of racing commitments. After wrapping up the previous Cup Series season, he had hoped to participate but learned that Jake Garcia had already been signed by Ricky Turner's team. “I inquired about it. I had interest. I love the Fairgrounds,” Elliott expressed, showcasing his passion for racing.

Despite being sidelined, Elliott proved that his spirit remains unbroken. As he continues to navigate the tumultuous world of NASCAR, fans can expect more thrilling moments from this racing icon. With the Daytona 500 heartbreak still fresh in his mind, one thing is certain: Chase Elliott is poised for a triumphant comeback.

Tags: 2004-nascar-cup-series-championship2025-daytona-500bubba-wallace-tyler-reddickchase-elliottshendrick-motorsportsricky-stenhouse-jr
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