'The Big One' at Talladega takes out multiple NASCAR title contenders

Ryan Blaney. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

'The Big One' at Talladega takes out multiple NASCAR title contenders

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Oct 25, 2026 4:44 PM ET

The patented "Big One" that strikes in every NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega struck in Stage 2 of Sunday's YellaWood 500 and took out multiple Chase contenders.

As the field raced down the backstretch on Lap 132, race leader Joey Logano threw an aggressive block on Ryan Blaney, forcing Blaney to check up. Bubba Wallace then turned Blaney in front of the field after contact from Chase Elliott as the rest of the field tried to avoid the accident.

Blaney, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin were among the title contenders who were involved in the crash. The top seven drivers in the standings entered Sunday's race, the 34th of 36 on the season, separated by only 56 points. Blaney and Reddick's damage was terminal, while Hamlin was able to continue.

How "The Big One" happened at Talladega

"We were just trying to protect the top," Blaney told NBC. "I felt like the top was gaining a lot of momentum. Just a bumper car type thing. Ended up crashing and taking a lot of others with us. Maybe not the best move by me, I don't know. I'll have to think about it more. This one hurts today. Obviously, we needed to have a good day."

There's trouble at the front of the field! Multiple championship contenders are collected! https://t.co/u5jRxXRxvo
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) October 25, 2026

Blaney entered Sunday fifth in the standings, 40 back of the lead. Logano and points leader Kyle Larson, along with Chase Briscoe, made it through the crash. So too did Christopher Bell, though he is 10 laps down after he spun and hit the wall coming to pit road in Stage 1.

Other drivers involved in the crash include Chase Elliott, Ryan Preece, Daniel Suarez, Ty Gibbs, John Hunter Nemechek, Ross Chastain, Noah Gragson and Gray Gaulding.

Coverage of Sunday's race can be found on NBC, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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