A promising day for pole-sitter David Gilliland ended in the chaos of a 26-car accident on Lap 98.
“We knew there was going to be trouble there,” said Gilliland, who ended up 35th. “I probably should have given myself more room. A lot of guys up front didn’t take any tires. What a mess. It’s not the day we were looking for. We had a great car.”
Reed Sorenson, who started alongside Gilliland on the front row, was also involved in the Lap 98 melee and placed 33rd.
“I saw a car maybe two or three rows in front of me start spinning, then I got hit from behind,” Sorenson said. “It was on from there. But that’s just part of racing here. It’s bound to happen.”
At the other end of the spectrum, Casey Mears, who started 22nd, ran among the leaders for much of the race and finished fourth.
- NASCAR WIRE: Weekend Preview: Talladega Superspeedway - April 18, 2024
- Journey back to the top has brought Elliott and the No. 9 team closer - April 16, 2024
- Chase Elliott wins in double overtime, snaps 42-race winless streak at Texas - April 15, 2024