Lee Montgomery: Last-lap Daytona crash just one of them racing deals
Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch slides underneath the checkered flag after crashing on the final lap of the Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. // Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Here at SceneDaily.com, our object is to provide unbiased news stories and commentary on all three of NASCAR’s national series. With that in mind, I’m here to tell you who was absolutely at fault on the last-lap accident of the Coke Zero 400.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race ended with a spectacular crash between leaders Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart, with Busch slamming the outside wall – and Stewart going to victory lane.
Busch had gotten the lead a lap earlier and was trying to block Stewart with all his might off Turn 4 coming to the checkered flag. Busch blocked low, and when Stewart tried to go high, Busch blocked again.
That’s when the right-rear of Busch’s No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota made contact with the left-front of Stewart’s No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet.
That’s when Busch lost the race. And that’s when Stewart won it.
Now, on to the important part. Who’s to blame? Fans seem to love to play the blame game, especially when it involves Busch and Stewart. And let’s be honest here, we in the media enjoy that game, too.
So without hesitation, I unequivocally blame … no one.
WHAT?
OK, if you’re a Busch fan, here’s your argument: Stewart should have backed off.
And if you’re a Stewart fan, here’s your argument: Busch shouldn’t have been blocking.
Both arguments, of course, are ludicrous. When racing for a victory at Daytona, pretty much everything goes, especially coming off Turn 4 for the checkered flag.
If Stewart had simply driven in the back of Busch, that would’ve been one thing. Or if Busch had forced Stewart below the yellow line, that’s another story.
But no, both drivers did exactly what they should have done. Busch was trying to win the race, and the only way he was going to do so was to try to keep Stewart behind him. Blocking is one of the unfortunate parts of restrictor-late race, and Busch did the best he could. He can’t simply stay in line and let Stewart pass him.
And Stewart? Well, what was he supposed to do differently? I used to get so mad at drivers who did nothing on the final laps of plate races. Stewart did something, making moves left and right to try to get the lead. The last move he made was the winning one, as it turned out, for Busch didn’t have the speed to get back in front of Stewart.
Yes, folks, this was a racing accident. It was unfortunate for Busch, of course, but that’s why they call this racing.
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