With the newly-reconfigured version of Atlanta Motor Speedway turning into more of a superspeedway, the consequences of the tightly-packed racing are the multi-car accidents commonly referred to at Daytona and Talladega as “The Big One”.
Just 91 laps into Sunday’s 260-lap Quaker State 400, the second multi-car accident broke out in the second turn, this one involving nine different cars.
The accident started when Ross Chastain got into the left-rear corner of Martin Truex Jr. while running in third-place, spinning the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry in front of the pack, collecting multiple cars.
However, Austin Dillon, running just behind the start of the accident, got hooked viciously into the outside wall, making a huge impact, the biggest in the accident.
Martin Truex Jr. spins, collecting Austin Dillon, Joey Logano and many more. #NASCAR
? : @USA_Network pic.twitter.com/rR7raVXNDu
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 10, 2022
The nine drivers involved in the accident included Ross Chastain, Martin Truex Jr, Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson, Michael McDowell, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, Christopher Bell, and Noah Gragson.
Joey Logano got some air in this crash involving Martin Truex Jr., Ross Chastain and others. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/xT8Kz0QQGO
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 10, 2022
Austin Dillon had some interesting comments after exiting the infield care center, saying he was alright, but was “just a casualty of Ross Chastain”.
"When you've got guys like (Ross Chastain) wrecking half the field, you might as well take a different strategy."
Austin Dillon called out the driver of the No. 1 car after a big hit at @amsupdates. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/x9AOiNiIII
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) July 10, 2022