Daytona Chaos: Insiders Blame Kyle Larson for Massive Wreck That Shook Up Playoff Picture

The Daytona Cup Series regular-season finale had everything fans could ask for: high-speed pack racing, last-lap drama, and unfortunately, a race-changing wreck that sparked heated debate.

In the middle of it all? Kyle Larson.

The “Big One” at Daytona

Superspeedway racing is unpredictable — one mistimed bump or air push at 190+ MPH can send cars spinning, and Saturday night at Daytona was no exception.

Larson found himself at the heart of a wreck involving Bubba Wallace, Kyle Busch, and Joey Logano, a crash that reshaped the playoff landscape. Kyle Busch’s elimination from playoff contention was one of the biggest storylines to emerge from the carnage.

Who’s to Blame?

After the race, NASCAR insiders Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic broke down the incident on The Teardown.

“I think it was Larson that caused it,” Gluck argued. “People are blaming Bubba or Logano, but Larson…”

Bianchi offered a more forgiving view:

“It’s just racing. You’re in a pack, you get loose, you give a little push — it doesn’t take much. I don’t know if you can pin this completely on Larson.”

Still, Gluck emphasized the wreck’s bigger consequences:

“That wreck took out a decent amount of storylines right there. Kyle Busch immediately misses the playoffs. Two years in a row now. I really think NASCAR needs Kyle Busch in the playoffs.”

A Thriller Despite the Wreck

Despite the chaos, fans got a thrilling finish. The race ended in a four-wide sprint to the checkered flag, with less than half a second separating the top contenders. For Larson, though, his hunt for a first-ever superspeedway victory continues.

Larson’s Superspeedway Struggles

Larson has been competitive on drafting tracks this season, often running near the front. Yet, the elusive win has continued to slip through his grasp. Critics argue luck has played a big role, while others point to improvement in his superspeedway craft.

Still, the Daytona finale highlighted the razor-thin margins that define these races.

The Bigger Picture

Love it or hate it, superspeedway racing remains one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable and entertaining formats. Holding cars steady two, three, even four-wide at nearly 200 MPH is no easy feat, and Saturday’s chaos reminded fans of the fine line between glory and disaster.

For Larson, the wait for that breakthrough superspeedway win goes on. But if Saturday night proved anything, it’s that he’s inching closer — even if controversy follows him across the finish line.