Talladega Superspeedway wasted no time in taking out its anger on the NASCAR Cup Series field.
On lap 52 of Sunday’s (Oct. 19) YellaWood 500, shortly after the first round of green flag pit stops, trouble broke out at the front of the pack. A bad push from Erik Jones sent Noah Gragson around and into AJ Allmendinger, which sparked a multi-car crash that involved playoff driver Chase Elliott and defending Talladega fall winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr., among other drivers.
With a hard hit and his No. 16 car engulfed in smoke, Allmendinger briefly laid down on the ground after getting out of his car before walking to the ambulance.
“Wasn’t expecting it,” Allmendinger said after exiting the care center. “Got turned right up there into the fence, and I think when Noah got turned, I think it hit the right front tire and knocked it flat and turned me directly into the wall. Disappointing there. Just the way this racing is; we know how it goes.
“Got to the lead there, and Joey was doing an amazing job pushing me. I was just trying to lead both lanes, and unfortunately the outside lane didn’t have the same plan. So, I hate this place. I always expect the worst. I’ll be sore. It hurt, it knocked the breath completely out of me. As I was trying to get out, it started smoking. Got out, I’m definitely sore on my right side. More than anything, it was trying to get the breath back. I’m fine.”
Allmendinger was one of seven drivers in the crash that saw their day come to an early end, and he will be credited with a 37th-place finish in the YellaWood 500.
A member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), Samuel also covers NASCAR for Yardbarker, Field Level Media, and Heavy Sports. He will attend the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2025.