Martin Truex Jr. was running inside the top-five in the early laps of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway, and it looked like perhaps Truex had a car capable of winning the race.
Then, Truex received contact from his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch, which ripped the left rear quarter panel open, causing the sheet metal to resemble a parachute on the side of the No. 19 car.
Here is video from NBC of the incident that caused the damage:
A closer look at what happened between Martin Truex Jr. and teammate Kyle Busch.
TV: NBCSN pic.twitter.com/QM9ixcycPo
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 22, 2021
Instantly, Truex’s car began handling terribly, and he dropped like a rock through the field.
At the end of the competition caution, Truex was scored 36th. However, the team was able to make repairs, and he is now inside the top-25.