NASCAR Monday Mash-Up: A bloody brawl, photo finish, and surprise DQ
This weekend we just had two races in NASCAR action. Talladega produced racing and drama like it always does in the Truck and Cup Series. Things boiled over in the Craftsman Truck Series to off the track. More on that later. We also saw a photo finish that turned into a disqualification.
To start, the truck race was intense. A little too intense. Unfortunately, the race devolved into the typical crash fest at times. There were complaints online that it was a poor level of racing and that more than one driver seemed lost on the track.
However, if we can put the usual annoyances of the series aside, it was a fun race.
Watching Brett Moffitt get the win in a stand-alone start was awesome. Zane Smith, his teammate that he was put into the race to help, was an early DNF. Smith also hit one of his pit crew members on pit road after sliding around.
That NASCAR crew member was just fine after the incident.
Now, here’s why you’re here. The Matt Crafton and Nick Sanchez fight. The rookie says that Crafton jumped him with a sucker punch as he walked to the hauler. It was apparently retaliation for a wreck on the track. Crafton denies the sneak attack.
However, it is hard to dispute the accusations when Crafton was seen in street clothes at the time of the fight, and the fight took place 45 minutes after Crafton wrecked out. It left Sanchez bloodied regardless of how it started.
This likely won’t be the last we hear about the fight. NASCAR could come down with a punishment if they see fit.
NASCAR Cup Series closing out Round of 12
Meanwhile, the NASCAR Cup Series was a little more subdued. There were some big key moments, tough. Ross Chastain wrecked out early after contact with Kyle Busch at the end of Stage 1.
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Mainly, a wreck involving Brad Keselowski and Austin Dillon caused some issues. At least, Dillon took issue with it, blaming Carson Hocevar for the whole thing.
This was the wreck in question. A red flag came out as officials repaired the SAFER barrier.
Austin Dillon just didn’t like how Hocevar’s car looked in the NASCAR race. He wasn’t sure why Keselowski was pushing him to begin with.
Here’s a two-fer for you NASCAR fans. We got a photo finish AND the big one at Talladega all at once. As the leaders crossed the finish line, and Ryan Blaney beat Kevin Harvick to the line, the field wrecked behind them.
The wreck likely caused Kevin Harvick to lose, but he was ultimately disqualified after the race. Stewart-Haas Racing won’t appeal the decision. This is just going to be an asterisk on Harvick’s record. It is unfortunate that this is how his Talladega career ends, but there are still a handful of races he can get that win at.
The NASCAR Round of 12 comes to an end next Sunday at the Charlotte Roval. Ryan Blaney and William Byron are locked into the Round of 8. What surprises are going to await us at the Roval?