Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway was shaping up to be another epic finish on the half-mile dirt oval, between eventual winner Christopher Bell and runner-up Tyler Reddick.
However, on the final lap of the 250-lap contest, a multi-car accident broke out on the backstretch between numerous cars, which included some major impacts, forcing NASCAR to throw the caution as the leaders rounded turn two.
The crash that caused tonight's race at Bristol to end under caution: https://t.co/cjsSm3I8el pic.twitter.com/F096yot4Ln
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 10, 2023
The accident started at the exit of the second corner, when Chris Buescher got into the back of Daniel Suarez, sending the No. 99 Chevrolet Camaro spinning up the track, and in front of the remainder of the pack.
Suarez then made door contact with Josh Berry, driving the No. 9 in place of Chase Elliott, which sent both entries further out of control, and spinning down the track – once again in front of traffic.
Berry would make some moderate contact with Ryan Preece as the No. 41 Ford Mustang attempted to shoot by on the inside lane. However, Berry wasn’t done, slamming into Ross Chastain at the inside wall.
The contact between Chastain and Berry was major, with the impact from the Hendrick Motorsports interim driver and the inside wall coming at the exact same time, lifting the front tires off the ground on the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro.
Chris Buescher would scoot through for an 18th-place result, while Berry and the Trackhouse Racing teammates would all finish 25th or worse in the eighth race of the NASCAR Cup Series season.