Overview

• On Lap 198 in Turn 3 at Richmond Raceway, Kyle Busch’s contact with Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Chevrolet set off a 12-car pileup.
• Busch’s clip sent Elliott into the outside wall and ended his night with a 38th-place finish after he was cleared from the infield care center.
• The melee damaged Brad Keselowski’s, Justin Haley’s and William Byron’s cars, while Denny Hamlin, Erik Jones and Cole Custer continued with minor scrapes.
• Fans and media swiftly criticized Busch’s role, with some using the “washed” label to question his form.
• The incident marks Elliott’s first DNF of the season, stopping his run of top-20 finishes and jeopardizing his bid for the regular-season championship and its 15 playoff points.