NASCAR fans are no strangers to intense rivalries and heart-stopping moments on the track. In a recent incident at the Atlanta Quaker State 400, a dramatic car wreck sent shockwaves through the racing community. As the rain poured down and the race distance was shortened, tensions rose. While the race was won by William Byron, a collision involving Corey Lajoie and Erik Jones took the spotlight.
What ensued on the track went beyond the expectations of fans and drivers alike. During this chaotic moment, a warning reached Chase Elliott, a prominent figure in NASCAR, cautioning him about a yet-to-happen altercation between Jones and Lajoie, who had become the target of Jimmie Johnson’s driver.
Chase Elliott’s Crew Chief Took the Best Preemptive Measure at Atlanta
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With concern in his voice, Eddie D’Hondt instructed Elliott to move out of the way, knowing their competitor had them in their sights. The move was a calculated strategy to shield Elliott from the anticipated retaliation, a decision influenced by the brewing conflict involving Lajoie and Jones.
A conversation between Chase Elliott and D’Hondt hinted at an imminent threat. The Crew Chief’s urgent warning crackled through Elliott’s headset, alerting the team to the looming danger.
“They are gonna wreck him. Stay bottom! They’re Wrecking him. I knew it!” D’Hondt exclaimed, leaving no room for interpretation. The insider pointed to Corey Lajoie becoming the target of retaliation from another driver.
However, the incident not only left Corey Lajoie and his team in disarray. Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing also got caught up in the wreck. He provided insight into the severity of the impact.
He said, “Hit the right front really hard. That’s the main thing,” underscoring the magnitude of the collision. Meanwhile, Lajoie’s crew chief, Ryan Sparks, inquired about the condition of the steering wheel, asking, “How’s your steering wheel?” And we assume that his wheel was not functioning ideally, as what the driver said in response had to be entirely censored by NASCAR.
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The Aftermath of the Erik Jones – Corey LaJoie Crash
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Amidst the confusion, Chris Gayle, crew chief for Ty Gibbs, attempted to make sense of the situation. Analyzing the damage sustained by LaJoie’s car, Gayle advised Gibbs, who also became a victim of the incident, to bring it to the team for inspection. He said, “You gotta bring it to us because I don’t want to blow the tire off and have a major problem.” The locked left front tire raised concerns about the car’s ability to navigate the track.
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Seeking clarification, Corey Lajoie turned to his crew chief, Ryan Sparks, to understand the sequence of events that led to the wreck. Sparks suggested that LaJoie had found himself in a chaotic three-wide situation, saying, “I think you just got sucked around middle three (wide) there.” However, Lajoie replied, “Nah, somebody got into the left rear,” believing that contact with his left rear had triggered the collision.
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All in all, Chase Elliott’s team’s pre-emptive measures to protect themselves from potential retaliation added a layer of suspense to the unfolding events. Meanwhile, Corey Lajoie’s team grappled with assessing the damage and seeking answers in the aftermath of the collision. As the NASCAR season progresses, the battles on the track continue to captivate fans, showcasing this high-octane sport’s thrilling and unpredictable nature.