At the end of the GEICO 500 at Talladega, Corey LaJoie and others were involved in a very terrifying wreck going to the finish line. LaJoie crossed the finish line with his door on the NASCAR track instead of his wheels.
Corey LaJoie was put up against the wall during the wreck. His car almost flipped all the way over, but was instead pushed up to the wall with his tires essentially racing on the fence. Once LaJoie came to a stop after the finish line, the car flipped onto the roof and then back onto the wheels.
Truly, it was a one-of-a-kind moment. LaJoie’s car was up on top of Noah Gragson’s for a moment. Watching it all happen from the in-car cameras put it into perspective just how wild this wreck was.
Corey LaJoie was released from the infield care center afterward. However, it doesn’t take away the fact he crossed the line on his side. Fans on the front row and near the fence had quite a view. Cars were torn up, parts flying around, just pure chaos.
The race didn’t have a lot of action until we got to the end. LaJoie was unfortunately part of the “big one” which waited to rear its ugly head until the last 100m of the race. It appears everyone involved is fine after this wreck. The drivers were released from the care center and all got out of their cars on their own power.
Corey LaJoie finishes P18 while sliding on his door
Now, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a fan of finishes like this. With the caveat that everyone involved is fine and healthy afterward – what is better? Talladega Superspeedway is known for the carnage and wrecks and wild finishes.
While we didn’t get a lot of the typical Dega race, the end was spectacular. It is going to be a finish that we all remember for a long time. Michael McDowell more or less controlled the race in the final stage, and then it all came undone.
Brad Keselowski backed up to Noah Gragson and built a huge run. Coming down the front stretch, McDowell threw a block. Then he threw a second block, never throw a second block. Soon the 34 car was spinning around and taking out the field.
Tyler Reddick was the benefactor of the late-race wreck as he sped on to cross the finish line. For drivers like Corey LaJoie it’s nice to just get out of Talladega without an injury.
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