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Dover, DE – The NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover International Speedway was dramatically interrupted on the second lap by a massive, multi-car incident that sent Ryan Preece’s No. 60 Ford engulfed in flames. The chaotic scene unfolded at the back of the pack as drivers jostled for position, ultimately collecting nine vehicles and leading to a red flag for track cleanup.
The incident began innocently enough as the field navigated Turn 1. Ryan Preece, piloting the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, found himself in a precarious three-wide situation on the outside. He was battling with Todd Gilliland in the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford and Kyle Larson in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Contact between Preece and Gilliland initiated a chain reaction, entangling all three cars.
The collision sent Preece’s machine spinning and backing hard into the Turn 1 wall at a significant velocity. With a full load of fuel for the early stages of the exhibition race, the impact ignited the rear of the No. 60 car, creating a dramatic fireball. Fortunately, Preece was able to extricate himself from the heavily damaged vehicle quickly and without apparent serious injury.
"I’m fine, but I seem to take big hits," Preece commented after being evaluated and released from the infield care center. "But no, I don’t know what happened. Obviously, I got to see a replay, but if it was anything, it was probably close on my part. Going into Turn 1, and just got sideways… If it was my fault, I’m sorry. Tough way to not finish a race on Lap 1."
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The initial melee collected a significant portion of the field beyond the primary combatants. Also caught up in the incident were Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Ryan Blaney in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford, Daniel Suarez in the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, Cole Custer in the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford, John Hunter Nemechek in the No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Chevrolet, and Michael McDowell in the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford.
The impact of the crash had immediate implications for several drivers. While Preece’s race was effectively over, the situation was more nuanced for drivers like Larson and Blaney, who were already locked into the final segment of the All-Star Race based on previous season performances or wins. Cars involved in such incidents have the option to go behind the wall for repairs. If they can fix their damaged machines sufficiently, they are permitted to rejoin the race at the tail end of the field for the start of any subsequent segment. However, the rules strictly prohibit the use of backup cars in the All-Star Race format, meaning any repairs must be made to the primary car.
Ryan Blaney, whose No. 12 Ford sustained damage, described the scene from his perspective: "I didn’t really see much. I knew they were three-wide ahead of me and it looked like someone got hooked or something. I thought I missed the main wreck that happened above me, and then I think some guys got tangled underneath and came up into me. Just stinks… I don’t know if we can get it fixed or not. We’ll see, but an unfortunate day. I see my guys bringing out bumpers and stuff, so maybe we’ll get back in for the last segment."
Indeed, both Blaney and Larson were able to make the necessary repairs and return to the track before the start of the final 200-lap segment, albeit from the rear of the field. For drivers like Preece and Gilliland, whose cars suffered more extensive damage and who had not yet secured a spot in the final segment, the early crash meant their All-Star Race aspirations were extinguished.
The race was temporarily halted under a red flag to allow track crews to clear the debris and assess the damage to the racing surface. Five cars, including Preece, Gilliland, Larson, Blaney, and Custer, were forced to visit the garage area due to the damage. Daniel Suarez managed to remain on track, but his No. 99 Chevrolet was visibly wounded, and he quickly fell off the lead lap as the race resumed.
This opening-lap carnage was not the only significant incident of the evening. Later, as the first segment neared its conclusion, another multi-car pileup occurred on the frontstretch. This incident involved a different set of drivers, including Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, John Hunter Nemechek, Kyle Busch, Zane Smith, Noah Gragson, Justin Buescher, Riley Herbst, and AJ Allmendinger. While this crash also caused considerable damage and brought out another caution, it thankfully did not result in any fires.
The NASCAR All-Star Race, an exhibition event designed to showcase the sport’s stars and provide exciting racing, has a unique format that often leads to aggressive driving and spectacular incidents. Unlike traditional points-paying races, the All-Star Race offers no championship implications, allowing drivers to take more risks in pursuit of the lucrative prize money and bragging rights. This year’s event at Dover, known as the "Monster Mile" for its challenging concrete surface, has historically been a track where mistakes can be amplified.
RFK Racing, Ryan Preece’s team, has shown steady improvement throughout the current NASCAR Cup Series season. The organization, co-owned by NASCAR legends Brad Keselowski and Jack Roush, has been working to climb the competitive ladder. Preece, in his role as a driver for RFK, has been a key part of their development, often showcasing strong pace but sometimes hindered by misfortune. His performance in the All-Star Race, though cut short, was an attempt to leverage the team’s progress in a high-profile, non-points event.
Todd Gilliland, driving for Front Row Motorsports, is in his second full-time season in the NASCAR Cup Series. His team, led by Bob Jenkins, has been focused on building consistency and securing top-20 finishes. Gilliland’s involvement in the early incident underscores the competitive nature of the field, where even in an exhibition race, drivers are pushing the limits from the outset.
Kyle Larson, a perennial contender and former NASCAR Cup Series champion, is a prominent figure in the sport. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports, one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations, Larson is always a threat to win. His presence in the early multi-car incident highlights the unpredictability of racing, where even the most accomplished drivers can be caught up in unavoidable accidents.
The consequences of such crashes extend beyond the immediate race. For teams like RFK Racing, the damage sustained by Preece’s car represents a significant repair effort and potential loss of chassis for future races. The financial and resource implications of such incidents are a constant challenge for all NASCAR teams.
As the All-Star Race continued, the focus shifted to the drivers who remained on track and the strategic battles that unfolded. However, the image of Preece’s car ablaze on Lap 2 served as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers and the unforgiving nature of motorsport, even in its most celebrated events. The incident also underscored the importance of driver safety protocols and the ongoing advancements in car construction and fire suppression systems, which allowed Preece to walk away from a potentially catastrophic situation.
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