It was smooth sailing for William Byron and Matt DiBenedetto as the two drivers were heading toward solid finishes in the opening stage of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Texas Grand Prix and Circuit of the Americas. However, with a few laps left in Stage 1, DiBenedetto’s car began to wheel hop and all hell broke loose from there.
As Byron’s car came to a slow for the turn ahead, DiBenedetto’s No. 21 car plowed through the rear of Byron’s No. 24 machine.
The contact caused severe damage to both cars. Byron had a tire cut down, which caused him to pit.
That's going to need some repairs. @mattdracing makes heavy contact with @WilliamByron. #EchoParkTGP pic.twitter.com/UJ3rKDsZTw
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 23, 2021
Luckily, for DiBenedetto, he was able to finish out the Stage and salvaged one Stage Point out of the effort.
Byron, who entered the day riding an 11-race top-10 finish streak, ended the Stage the final car on the lead lap in 38th.
