TALLADEGA, Ala.: A 10-car accident at the front of the field in Monday’s postponed 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway collected several Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs drivers including Dover (Del.) International Speedway winner Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman who ignited the crash.
Bowman who was leading the race attempted to block a run from the Fords of Joey Logano and Clint Bowyer but with a significant speed differential from Bowman to Logano, the attempted block sent Bowman’s No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet sideways and back into the pack of front-runners collecting Larson, Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Michael McDowell, Ryan Preece and Martin Truex Jr.
All but Bowman, Johnson and Larson were able to continue.
Bowman who is trying to shove in his Hendrick Motorsports team into the semi-final round of the Cup Series Playoffs took responsibility for the crash and now finds himself in an 18-point deficit heading to Kansas Speedway, the final race in the Round of 12.
“After watching it, I just didn’t realize how fast the 22 (Joey Logano) was coming there,” said Bowman. “I probably shouldn’t have even attempted to block that. He was a solid chunk faster than us, so that’s on me. It’s part of Talladega and superspeedway racing. It’s really unfortunate for our team. I apologize to the other guys that got taken out in that.”
Before the crash, Bowman said his race was particularly calm and was content with the team’s performance.
“It was pretty calm,” Bowman added. “The car was driving really good. Everything was going as it needed to go for us, I just misjudged that one. I should have let them go and shouldn’t have thrown a block
“My mirrors are super shaky and trying to look through a thing of lexan is tough. Just didn’t do a very good job of judging it and that’s on me.
While Larson’s No. 42 McDonalds Chevrolet was capable of winning, being eliminated at Lap 106 doesn’t hurt his Playoffs march to the Round of 8 with his first win of the season last weekend.
Entering Talladega, Larson was the only guaranteed driver set to advance.
“I just saw a little bit of smoke,” he said. “I was in the top lane just hoping to get through it and it all happened quick. I saw the No. 88 (Alex Bowman)’s door numbers and I got into it. Yeah, that was a huge hit on my part.
“Thankfully, I’m OK and we’ll move onto next week and try to get a run at Kansas.”
Johnson was disappointed with being collected but said he was thankful to be serving a purpose and having a fast-enough No. 48 Ally Chevrolet to be a good teammate to his other Hendrick Motorsports teammates contending in the Playoffs.
“For myself, in not having the Playoff pressure, it was nice to have a purpose and it was nice to be out there helping my teammates try and collect points and do what they could,” offered Johnson. “So, all in all, a good day, just a short one
“That’s just plate racing. It is what it is, I saw the No. 88 (Alex Bowman) really far down on the apron coming into turn three and knew there was going to be a problem when he merged up back in front of us. It is just plate racing.
“Really proud of my guys. I had a very fast Ally Chevrolet today. I was doing my best to help my teammates there and had a good time. Unfortunately, a short day for us.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
