Coke Zero Sugar 400 wrecks: Playoff race shakes up as Josh Berry flipped over in epic collision at Daytona

David Suggs

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Coke Zero Sugar 400 wrecks: Playoff race shakes up as Josh Berry flipped over in epic collision at Daytona image

'The Big One' loomed for all who graced the famous asphalt of Daytona International Speedway during Saturday's Coke Zero Sugar 400.On three separate occasions, it went from a mere ideology into a tangible reality for all but a handful of the Cup Series field.

More than 30 cars were swept across Daytona's iconic grounds at various points due to accidents, knocking out a pair of NASCAR's biggest names and making the postseason race that much more contentious.

The Sporting News has the latest on the eye-catching collision, yet another feather in the World Center of Racing's harrowing cap.

MORE: Harrison Burton picks up shock win at Coke Zero Sugar 400

Coke Zero Sugar 400 wrecks video

Lap 61

On Lap 61, Daytona International Speedway turned into a scrapyard.

The collision has relatively innocuous origins. With the field splitting into two lanes, Noah Gragson made his way up the track. He appeared to be in decent position to gain ground on the top of the field. At least until Spire Motorsports' Corey LaJoie made contact with him from behind, sending him spiraling, first toward the wall, then into the infield grass.

Gragson left a trail of misfit chariots in his wake, with the likes of Ross Chastain, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Tyler Reddick among the Cup Series standouts to suffer damage from the mashup.

More than, 15 cars got caught up in the mayhem. Multiple drivers were knocked out of racing contention: Elliott, Hamlin, LaJoie, Gragson, and Ryan Preece suffered such a fate, while Chastain fell one lap down.

Lap 151

Michael McDowell's hopes for a second-career Daytona win crumbled on Lap 151.

With just nine laps remaining in Saturday's race, McDowell found himself at the front of the pack. He was vying for the top spot with Team Penske youngster Austin Cindric and looked in prime position to potentially pick up that all-important victory that would have punched his ticket to the postseason.

The Big One loomed like a shadow. And soon, it struck, sending McDowell's No. 34 into the air after contact with Cindric.

McDowell wasn't the only driver who was involved in the madness. A total of 14 cars incurred damage as a result of the incident. McDowell was one of a handful of drivers to suffer the ignominy of a DNF as a result of the collision. He wasn't the last, either.

Lap 158

Josh Berry took flight with two laps remaining in Saturday's race.

The Stewart-Haas Racing driver had enjoyed a fabulous day at the track, slaloming his way through the chaos to pick up his first-ever Cup Series stage win. He looked well-equipped to compete for a win for much of the day, although he had a handful of close calls along the way.

His dreams of a checkered flag went up in smoke on Lap 158, however, when Berry collided with an on-rushing Austin Cindric.

Berry's car soared into the air, spiraling through the Daytona night sky before settling at the infield wall. It suffered significant damage on account of its collision with that barrier, prompting a red flag delay. 

Berry eventually emerged from the carnage, flashing a thumbs up to his fans and fellow competitors as he walked away from the wreckage.

The Big One giveth, and the Big One taketh away. Such is life when NASCAR's finest make their way onto the wildest track in motorsports.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.