Justin Haley hooks Christopher Bell into the wall during Geico 500 at Talladega

While we went through the first two stages without a caution, the final stage of the Geico 500 didn’t wait too much longer. Justin Haley got loose, went sideways, hooked Christopher Bell and that’s when it got ugly in this NASCAR race.

Justin Haley led laps in the Geico 500 earlier in the race. While in the draft, finally going all-out on the track, Haley came up behind Todd Gilliland who had just lost his spot in line. He got loose and found himself making contact with Christopher Bell.

Bell went into the outside wall hard and amazingly, other drivers avoided him. Chase Elliott was inches from disaster. Bell was later released from the care center with no problems.

Heavy damage for Christopher Bell. That was a CLOSE one for Chase Elliott. 👀 https://t.co/pZVgS5grOB pic.twitter.com/L3NoaLPv0d

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 21, 2024

As you see in the video, Elliott really was just a fraction of a second from having his day ruined as well. Ryan Blaney avoided Haley much in the same way the 9-car avoided Bell. This wasn’t the big one, so keep yourself ready for when that one comes.

It has been a strange day at Talladega. This race is not the usual chaos and mess that we have come to expect from superspeedways. However, with the new fuel-saving strategy that teams are using, it is the way that things are going.

While the rain hasn’t been an issue, there have been water issues. Just off the track and the race lines, there are still weepers and puddles every so often. NASCAR wanted to get this show on the road and so if drivers aren’t careful, they can find themselves spinning out.

The only places these wet spots are a problem are coming on and off pit road as well as spinning off the track and onto the apron. A little too far and it’s going to be like driving on ice.

Geico 500 has been unique, but is that good?

This is the first time the first two stages at Talladega have gone caution-free. Imagine that. These drivers are doing all they can to gain an edge, but no one is willing to really put the pedal to the metal and push the pace.

Due to the fuel-saving strategy, drivers don’t want to waste any gas. At least it gave us BJ McLeod leading the field. That was fun to see. But it hasn’t given us the usual chaos and on-the-edge-of-control type racing that we are used to seeing.

As many expected, the Ford teams are doing all they can to get in position to win this race. They have not had the season that they were hoping for when they debuted the new Dark Horse Mustang.

Those ponies are in a good spot to get it done. Team Penske and RFK Racing have both been on it today. Even Stewart-Haas Racing and Front Row Motorsports are putting together some great efforts. For now, Christopher Bell is the only DNF of the race.