The Big One Takes Place on Lap 119 at Daytona

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On lap 119, the Big One took place at Daytona International Speedway, as the amount of blocking and aggressive driving among the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers ultimately caught up with the field in the Coke Zero Sugar 400.

Clint Bowyer shoved Austin Dillon past Denny Hamlin to grab the lead on lap 119. Bowyer went down, and Dillon attempted to block. The two drivers made contact and a melee ensued.

It may have been easier to count which drivers were not caught up in that wreck. Several drivers involved in the wreck were eliminated from the race. The others continued racing, but their cars were severely damaged.

Dillon won the second stage of the Coke Zero Sugar 400. He had a fast No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, and he wanted a win, especially since he remains below the playoff cut line. Here were his thoughts after he was cleared to leave the infield medical center:

As for Bowyer, he has been struggling lately, and he is the last driver above the playoff cut line. Frontstretch even debated whether Stewart-Haas Racing should re-sign Bowyer for the 2020 season.

The Coke Zero Sugar 400 has predominantly been a race between manufacturers, drivers and the weather. With weather seemingly approaching Daytona International Speedway, the intensity level of the race was raised before the big incident took place.

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Mark Kristl joined Frontstretch at the beginning of the 2019 NASCAR season. He is the site's ARCA Menards Series editor. Kristl is also an Eagle Scout and a proud University of Dayton alum.

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4 thoughts on “The Big One Takes Place on Lap 119 at Daytona”

  1. As much as I hate to agree with Spint Bowyer, I saw exactly what he said. Dillon came down trying to block him when there wasn’t room. Dillon can frame it any way he wants but he caused that wreck by trying to block,

    • It seems that Harvick’s comments about the Dillon boys was accurate, spoiled rich kids. Austin Dillon has done nothing to merit running the number 3

  2. Brad warned about blocking and Dillon didn’t listen. Brad didn’t do it in front of the whole field but Bowyer did. Maybe drivers will pay attention now. I hope Prince Richard isn’t complaining after Dillon at Daytona.

  3. Agree, Dillon tried to block. The guys in the booth, every one of them, tried to spin it differently but Bowyer and Dillons words shut them up.

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