NASCAR Insiders React to Kyle Busch-Chase Elliott Richmond Wreck: Weighing Blame and Assessing the Aftermath

A dramatic 12-car wreck on Lap 198 during Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway not only altered the course of the race but also sparked a lot of debate among NASCAR insiders. The incident, which ended Chase Elliott’s race, started when Kyle Busch, while exiting Turn 4, tagged Elliott’s car, sending the 9 car into the outside wall head-on.

The wreck was initially triggered when Busch bumped into the back of Chase Briscoe, causing a chain reaction that stacked up cars behind them in Turn 3. Elliott, who initially managed to avoid the wreckage, found himself caught up when Busch turned him after the initial collision. This resulted in a catastrophic wreck for Elliott and his team, as he was unable to continue racing, marking his first DNF (Did Not Finish) of the season.

From an optics standpoint, the incident left many wondering about Busch’s role in the wreck. Freddie Kraft, spotter for Bubba Wallace and a prominent NASCAR commentator, addressed the situation on the Door Bumper Clear podcast, offering his take on the events. Kraft acknowledged that from a visual perspective, it didn’t look great for Busch, though he emphasized that it didn’t appear to be intentional.

Kraft’s Take on Busch’s Involvement

“That was a wild wreck,” Kraft said. “Kyle Busch’s ‘give a f*ck broke’ for a minute there.” He further explained that the wreck occurred after Busch collided with Briscoe’s car, pushing the field into chaos. Kraft added that it seemed like Busch didn’t realize the positioning of the cars behind him, resulting in a misjudgment that sent Elliott into the wall.

“I don’t think Kyle did anything intentional, it was just a bad look,” Kraft continued. He also pointed out that Busch’s reaction, after turning Briscoe and then causing Elliott’s wreck, was not ideal from a public relations perspective. “Optically, not good because he goes in there and turns the 19, comes out of the wreck, and hooks the 9. It’s like, what the hell is going on? Somebody said, did Kyle Busch just rage quit?”

While Kraft acknowledged that Busch likely didn’t intend to take out Elliott, the optics were not favorable. The chaotic nature of the wreck, combined with the way it unfolded, gave the impression that Busch’s temper had gotten the best of him during a high-pressure moment.

Kyle Busch’s Response and Elliott’s Perspective

Despite the apparent frustration and controversy surrounding the incident, Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet somehow escaped major damage from the wreck. He continued racing and managed to finish 16th. On the other hand, Elliott, who was running well up until the wreck, was forced to retire from the race, posting his first DNF of the season.

FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, another NASCAR insider, weighed in on the incident. He suggested that Busch might not have seen Elliott when the two were racing alongside each other. “The 9 [Elliott] — there was somebody underneath the 9, and he couldn’t go further down,” Pockrass said. “I don’t know whether Kyle didn’t think he was there or how much control he had.”

Pockrass pointed out the strange aspect of the incident—despite hitting multiple cars, Busch’s vehicle sustained little damage. “The weird thing was Kyle’s car wasn’t damaged a whole lot. He was able to keep going despite hitting everybody,” Pockrass noted. This led to some questions about how Busch managed to continue, despite being involved in such a significant wreck.

Chase Elliott himself also provided insight into the situation, expressing his frustration while offering a measured perspective. “Obviously, I saw them crashing, and we were all just stacking up trying to get stopped,” Elliott said. “After the wreck was over, I thought we were done wrecking. I was just trying to squeak by, and I guess Kyle just didn’t know I was to his left, and we were, so I hate that.”

Elliott, who had a strong start to the race, saw his night slowly unravel as the incident with Busch took him out of contention. “We had a good start to the night, and it just slowly unraveled until it finally fell apart,” he said. “So hopefully, we get on a better stretch starting next week.”

The driver of the No. 9 car added that the incident was just an unfortunate situation, where Busch didn’t see him trying to squeeze through the wreck on the inside line. “I think Kyle just didn’t know that we were trying to squeeze by the wreck on the bottom,” Elliott explained. “He was kind of angled back towards the bottom of the racetrack, and I was just coming through. It’s just unfortunate.”

The Aftermath and What’s Next

The fallout from the wreck, while dramatic, underscores the unpredictable nature of racing and the sometimes fine line between a racing accident and reckless driving. While most insiders agree that Busch likely didn’t intend to cause Elliott’s wreck, the optics of the situation, combined with the way the incident played out, certainly raised questions.

For Busch, this race was another reminder of the chaotic moments that can define a NASCAR career—moments that can either elevate or tarnish a driver’s legacy. Busch’s finish, while not a total disaster, was far from ideal, and many will likely continue to scrutinize his actions during the wreck.

As for Elliott, the DNF marked a tough break in what had been a promising race. However, his composed response and clear understanding of the situation highlight the professional mindset that has made him one of the sport’s most respected drivers. Both drivers will look to put this incident behind them as they head into the next race, but the fallout from this Richmond wreck will likely be discussed for some time.

In NASCAR, where every race is a high-stakes battle, moments like the Busch-Elliott wreck are bound to happen. What’s important is how the drivers handle these situations both on and off the track, and this particular wreck, while controversial, will be just another chapter in the intense world of NASCAR racing.