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NASCAR Admits Missed Crash Footage, Pledges Review of Caution Protocols

Series managing director Brad Moran said missing the initial crash footage delayed NASCAR’s safety response, prompting a procedural review with new street-course safety measures.

Cody Ware, driver of the #51 Arby's Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Würth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 03, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Toyota, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 at Chicago Street Course on July 05, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
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Overview

  • Brad Moran acknowledged that race control did not see Cody Ware’s 93 mph impact into Turn 6’s tire barrier, which led to a 34-second delay in waving the caution flag.
  • NASCAR has committed to reviewing real-time incident detection and caution protocols before returning to the Grant Park street circuit.
  • Spotter Freddie Kraft and driver Denny Hamlin blasted the delayed yellow after Ware’s radio plea for help, calling for instant cautions on heavy impacts.
  • Kyle Petty defended the wait, saying standard procedures require cycling stranded cars to confirm whether they can rejoin before waving the yellow.
  • Cody Ware walked away uninjured from the crash and is shifting his focus with Rick Ware Racing toward next weekend’s road-course race at Sonoma Raceway.