Alon Day wrecks into Justin Allgaier under caution during Xfinity Series practice at Chicago

A scary moment during the beginning of NASCAR Xfinity Series practice at Chicago. Alon Day wrecked into Justin Allgaier under caution. Day, who is racing in his first NASCAR national series event since 2018, was going full speed under caution.

There was a communication issue between Alon Day and his spotters. Justin Allgaier had been wrecked into a tire barrier for 21 seconds. Day came speeding by and slammed into the rear of Allgaier. Day shredded his driver’s side bodywork off his car. Allgaier drove to pit road, Day had to be towed.

Here is the wreck from Allgaier.

Allgaier overdrives the corner and gets into the tire barrier! pic.twitter.com/Ucc2EMVRnc

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) July 6, 2024

Then, Day comes out of nowhere.

Oh no. 🫣 https://t.co/KJPg922NwK pic.twitter.com/JAMKnZl7iY

— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) July 6, 2024

“When I came there I mean on my side I couldn’t hear anything,” Day said after leaving the care center. Day also noted that his day was over as Alpha Prime Racing would not have a backup car for him.

Justin Allgaier will go to a backup car. He was not happy, but not terribly enraged. The usual calm and cool Allgaier you’re used to. With a backup waiting for him, he at least has a chance to continue this afternoon.

Justin Allgaier points blame at spotters for Alon Day wreck

After Justin Allgaier got out of the care center, he talked to NBC Sports about what happened. He didn’t want to make a bigger wreck by trying to reverse as the field went by. It just didn’t go how he thought.

“It’s such a treacherous spot there,” Allgaier said. “Fortunately, I pride myself in not having to go to a backup car very often. Really hate it for everybody on this seven team, I mean the guys did an amazing job. I was sitting there and honestly thought we were going to be just fine and you see the aftermath. I think we could have maybe fixed the car after the first damage but not anymore.”

Allgaier pointed the blame not at Day but at the spotters. Someone should have informed Day that Allgaier was wrecked and the field was under caution.

“My guys were giving me an update on how many cars were still coming,” Allgaier explained. “So I knew there were cars still coming that’s why I didn’t reverse out of the tire barrier. At that moment it’s kind of a really bad, vulnerable spot. I didn’t want to reverse, unfortunately, there’s people in that corner, that’s actually right in front of the spotters’ stand.

“I’m disappointed, I know that ended his weekend, the last thing he wants to do is hit me, right? That’s not what he wants to do it’s just lack of communication, unfortunately. Probably took a racecar that was maybe fixable and took it out of the race, it definitely took them out of the race. At least we have a backup car we’ll be able to work on our stuff and get better, but just hate that we put our guys behind that far starting the weekend it’s not ideal.”