Watch: Pair of NASCAR stars wreck early to open playoffs

Gravity steered Larson's No. 5 back down the track while Chase Briscoe — who won last weekend's Southern 500 — plowed into the back of Larson's car terminally damaging both vehicles and knocking both drivers out of the race. 

"I'm okay," Larson said. "Thankfully, everything held up inside the car. That was a huge hit. Not really sure what caused it. That was pretty far around the corner and it (the car) just stepped out."

The crash drops Larson to seventh on the playoff grid as the race runs and Briscoe to 16th on the grid. Both drivers will now face an uphill climb to advance to the Round of 12, as their days at Atlanta will bear little fruit. 

Ryan Blaney ultimately won the stage under caution. The Quaker State 400 is currently airing on USA Network, MRN, the NBC Sports App and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.