The majority of the field at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway wiped out in a huge crash Sunday that seemingly could've been avoided.
The race was originally scheduled to happen Saturday evening, but was delayed due to wet weather. When rain arrived again Sunday, NASCAR was slow to react with a caution flag. Instead, the field drove into a wet Turn 1 and both of the leaders, Denny Hamlin and Daniel Suárez, spun and collected most of the cars behind them in a massive wreck.
Here's a look at the incident on Lap 138 at @DAYTONA. pic.twitter.com/6CySgUxG2r
The biggest beneficiary of the crash was Austin Dillon, who somehow drove through the chaos, moving from 16th to first in one turn.
Ride with @austindillon3 as he avoids the accident in the middle of the corner at @DAYTONA. pic.twitter.com/lrFNkwjbv7
Justin Haley, who was running near the front of the field, was collected in the crash and said it was "pretty unacceptable" that NASCAR allowed the race to continue under the green flag as rain began to fall. He later walked back his criticisms on Twitter. Hamlin also called for "better officiating" in an interview.
NASCAR vice president of competition Scott Miller said there wasn't much the series could've done differently.
A caution flag was thrown for the wreck and it quickly switched to a red flag as rain continued to fall. The wild turn of events in NASCAR's regular season finale would mean Dillon and Martin Truex Jr. vaulted into the 16-driver playoff field if it cannot continue.
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