WATCH: Massive pile up wreck during restart at Fontana takes out multiple drivers

NASCAR at Fontana saw plenty of drama during the second stage, including a major wreck on a restart that took out several drivers. As the drivers lined up side-by-side and hit the restart zone to come out of caution, lead-driver Joey Logano appeared to check up the drivers behind him by waiting to accelerate out of the zone.

As a result, worn tires on the vehicles in the middle of the pack came into play as they were unable to stop in time as the traffic stalled out from the check up. The resulting crash started with an accordion-like group of cars hitting each other, taking out multiple drivers due to the closely grouped restart conditions.

BIG TROUBLE ON THE RESTART IN FONTANA pic.twitter.com/gmu49JS0to

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 26, 2023

Restart wrecks the field at Fontana

The wreck started a quick blame game from fans and some drivers as everyone tried to figure out who was responsible for the crash — especially drivers who saw their day end from the wreck. A total of 10 cars were involved in the wreck, including names like Christopher Bell, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Preece and Ryan Blaney.

Shortly after the accident, Aric Almirola was interviewed on the broadcast about the wreck and he wondered aloud if it happened because the race leaders checked up the field. Although replay seemed to show that was the case, Logano’s decision to restart at his own pace was perfectly legal and his right as the front-runner of the outside line. Many fans pointed to the cause of the wreck being from drivers running on well-worn tires and being greedy with their race strategy — a bad combination coming into a restart like the one on the 87th lap.