NASCAR is a demanding sport where mistakes are costly. It does not just lead to you losing your own spot but, also for your opponent. While some may brush off a mistake as a simple accident, others see it as a reckless blunder.  What one driver calls a racing move, another might label it as pure chaos.

The same scenario played out late in the Daytona 500, where an aggressive move by Joey Logano triggered an eight-car wreck on Lap 186. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. took the high road, refusing to place blame. But Kyle Busch? He wasn’t as forgiving. Unlike Stenhouse who took the incident with a pinch of salt, Busch saw Logano’s actions in an entirely different light—and he didn’t mince words when calling him out.

Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon deliver sharp criticism of Joey Logano after Daytona 500 chaos

The Daytona 500 saw an exciting finish, but for some, it was marred by chaos caused by a late-race incident. What appeared to be a racing misjudgment sparked strong reactions from key figures in NASCAR, notably Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon. Their criticism was swift and pointed, focusing on Joey Logano’s role in the wreck.

Logano, running 5th with just 15 laps remaining, made an ambitious move to the middle lane. As he tried to squeeze through, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. blocked him. That contact set off a chain reaction that sent Stenhouse spinning into teammate Ryan Blaney, as well as Busch and several other cars. The crash eliminated eight drivers from the race.

While Stenhouse Jr. opted for a calm, blame-free perspective, Kyle Busch took a much harsher stance. Busch, visibly frustrated with the wreck, commented, “Just created chaos.” He went on to emphasize how Logano’s speed and decision to make a bold move ultimately disrupted the flow of the race. Busch added, “It looks like the fastest car got in a hurry to get to the wreck.”

Adding weight to the criticism, Jeff Gordon, vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, also voiced concerns about Logano’s decision-making. Gordon, known for his sharp commentary, agreed with Busch’s assessment. When asked if drivers were making reckless moves, Gordon didn’t hesitate, stating, “Joey did.” The two former champions seemed united in their criticism of Logano’s aggressive tactics during a critical moment in the race.

Busch, who also said he was frustrated by the way NASCAR officials dealt with his damaged car after the accident, finished 34th. He was just one spot ahead of Logano, who ended in 35th. As the Daytona 500 concluded, Busch ended up with a total of 5 points whereas Logano finished with a total of 21 points, thanks to his Stage 1 win. You can check the final driver points after the Daytona 500 here. However, in the end, both were left to reflect on a race that promised so much more.

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Joey Logano defends his controversial move

Joey Logano faced heavy criticism from Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon for his role in the late-race crash at the Daytona 500. However, Logano stood by his decision to make a bold move to the inside, explaining, “From my perspective, I felt like to win the race I had to get to the second row in my line there,” His move, aiming to position himself for the win, sparked chaos when a late block by Ricky Stenhouse Jr. caused the multi-car incident. Well, it’s not the first time fans saw it. 2024 is not that long gone!

Logano emphasized that his intentions weren’t to cause a wreck but to make a calculated move. “I saw the opportunity to drop down and get underneath [Stenhouse],” Logano said, adding that he had Noah Gragson, another Ford driver, behind him, which he believed would aid the move. Despite Stenhouse’s block, Logano tried to adjust to the situation. But, he was caught in a check-up that led to the crash.

Despite the wreck, Logano remained firm in his defense. “I’m checking up, but at that point, the checkup has already happened behind me,” Logano explained, expressing frustration over the unavoidable outcome. Although he finished 35th, Logano stuck to his belief that he made the move with the race win in mind. Even as others blamed him for the chaos.

In NASCAR, incidents like this are part of the unpredictable nature of the sport. With high speeds, tight racing, and constant decisions under pressure, crashes are almost inevitable. While Logano’s move didn’t pay off this time, it’s clear that such moves are a staple in the sport’s drama. But, with the Daytona 500 behind them, will Logano’s strategy be viewed differently in hindsight? Or will it remain a point of contention?