Watch: Big wreck on first lap at Watkins Glen collects multiple NASCAR playoff drivers

As the drivers funneled through Watkins Glen's 'Bus Stop', Corey LaJoie turned Kyle Busch, spurring a big crash that sent multiple drivers spinning and sliding. 

Among those collected were Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney - all of whom are competing for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. 

The wreck caused terminal damage to Blaney's steering column and suspension, knocking the defending champion out of the race and relegating him to a last-place finish. 

"How are they (NASCAR) going to dictate if we're done or not?" a frustrated Blaney said to NBC Sports. "They said because I couldn't drive it back to the pit box we're done. I don't agree with it. I don't even know what happened, honestly. That's the frustrating part, not even giving us a chance to fix it or see it before it goes back to the garage."

The crash also caused major damage to Hamlin's suspension, though the No. 11 team was able to fix the car temporarily. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ryan Preece were involved in the crash as well, with Stenhouse Jr. also being knocked out of the race.